A New Aspect of Trypanosoma cruzi Life‐Cycle in the Invertebrate Host

SYNOPSIS. Trypanosoma cruzi blood trypomastigotes transform, in the stomach of the invertebrate host, into round or pear‐shaped forms. A certain number form attached pairs or large masses of aggregated amastigotes. Cytoplasmic bridges and membrane leaks may be observed between apposed parasites. There are fusion of the organisms, an apparent disorganization of the DNA‐containing organelles and thickening of the borders of the parasite aggregates. From those borders single or small clumps of flagellates begin to detach and liberate. The meaning of this heretofore overlooked sequence of events as well as the possibility of genetic exchange among the parasites in the early stages of development are discussed.