Serological and parasitological analysis of guinea pig dams infected with <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i>.

<p><b>(A)</b> Chronogram of female guinea pigs infected before gestation (IBG) and infected during gestation (IDG). The time-points (days) of breeding (⚤), <i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> (<i>Tc</i>) inoculation (black arrow), and euthanasia (marked by X) are shown. Females that were mated but not infected were used as controls. <b>(B&C)</b> An ELISA <b>(B)</b> and Western blotting <b>(C)</b> were performed to monitor the anti-T. <i>cruzi</i> antibodies in sera samples of control, IBG and IDG dams at parturition. Bar graphs show the percentage of dams that were positive for anti-<i>T</i>. <i>cruzi</i> antibodies. <b>(D&E)</b> Quantitative PCR evaluation of blood <b>(D)</b> and heart tissue <b>(E)</b> parasite load in control, IBG and IDG dams is shown. * P<0.05.