Influence of saccharides and sodium chloride on growth and differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi

The influence of saccharides, especially glucose and fructose, on the metacyclogenesis and growth of Trypanosoma cruzi has been investigated. In the absence of glucose and fructose in the media, both the percentage of metacyclic forms and the growth increased significantly. Furthermore, the addition of NaCl to the medium without monosaccharides strongly increased the formation of metacyclic forms. Presence of NaCl and absence of monosaccharides showed a synergic effect on differentiation of T. cruzi.