TcVac3 efficacy in controlling the inflammatory infiltrate, tissue pathology and parasite burden in mice.

<p>Mice were vaccinated and infected with <i>T. cruzi</i>. Peripheral blood collected at days 10–40 post-infection (A), and tissues harvested at day 30 (B&C) and 120 (D–F) post-infection were utilized. (<b>A</b>) Blood parasite level determined by real time PCR amplification of <i>Tc</i>18SrDNA sequence, normalized to <i>GAPDH.</i> (<b>B&D</b>) The representative images of H&E staining (blue: nuclear, pink: muscle/cytoplasm/keratin) of heart tissue and skeletal muscle sections (magnification: 20X) are shown (arrows indicate parasite nests). (<b>C&E</b>) Tissue parasite burden was determined by real time PCR amplification of <i>Tc</i>18SrDNA sequence, normalized to <i>GAPDH</i>. (<b>F</b>) Masson’s Trichrome staining (magnification 20X). The intense blue color shows collagen deposition (fibrotic area).