Experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection in rhesus monkeys III. Electrocardiographic and histopathological findings

In five rhesus monkeys surviving ‘Peru strain’ or ‘strain 7’ Trypanosoma cruzi infection for six to eight years, positive xenodiagnosis results and high indirect fluorescent antibody titres (4096 — 65536) persisted until the animals were killed. Abnormal electrocardiograph patterns in two monkeys (H and K) were possibly compatible with myocardial damage. Histopathological changes attributable to T. cruzi infection were minor in four monkeys but severe in one (R). In this animal, infected with what was judged previously to be the less virulent of the two T. cruzi stocks used (‘strain 7’), there was severe myocarditis, with myofibre degeneration, and lesions of the oesophagus. Elevated serum levels of five enzymes were not detected in any of the chronically infected monkeys.