The effects o f temperature, pH, osmolarity and aeration on lhe growth and differentiation o f a trypanosome ofthe subgenus Schizotrypanum isolatedfrom the bat Phyllostomus hastatus were studied. In general, the growth characteristics ofthe flagellate were similar to those o f Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi. However, the parasite did not growth at 33 or 37C. Increase in the osmolarity and aeration promoted growth at 33C. Significant metacyclogenesis was detected only in the growth condition where maximal growth occured (28C, pH 7.3, 380m 0s/kg, in tissue cullure flasks), at the end ofthe exponential growth phase. The begining o f the metacyclogenesis process was coincident with most glucose utilization and lowest pH. During metacyclogenesis both culture medium pH and osmolarity increased steadly. In the present study we investigate the effects of temperature, pH, osmolarity and aeration surface on growth and metacyclogenesis of a trypanosome of the subgenus Schizotrypanum isolated from the bat P. hastatus. This isolate was previously unable in produce detectable parasitemia in mice15.
Key