Differential fluctuations in the cellularity of the thymus, spleen, MLN, and SCLN in the course of acute <i>T. cruzi</i> infection.

<p>Note a lymphocyte expansion in the spleen and SCLN, in parallel to a lymphocyte decrease in the thymus and MLN. BALB/c mice were infected intraperitoneally with 10² blood trypomastigotes of the <i>Tulahuén</i> strain, killed at different days of infection, and cell numbers evaluated by trypan blue exclusion. Erythrocytes were previously depleted in the spleen cell suspensions by treatment with Tris-buffered ammonium chloride. Values represent the mean±standard error; <i>n</i> = 3–5 mice/group in each point. Data recorded on thymus, spleen, MLN, and SCLN from <i>T. cruzi</i>-infected mice (closed squares) were compared to non-infected age-matched controls (open squares) with ANOVA statistical test, using the program SigmaStat (Statistical Software) for Windows. Data were considered significant if <i>p</i> values were <0.05. Data represent mean±standard error. All experiments and animal handling were conducted according to protocols approved by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Committee on the Use of Animals.