Further interest of miniexon multiplex PCR for a rapid typing of Trypanosoma cruzi DTU groups

In order to validate a rapid typing of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs, the miniexon multiplex PCR was tested for the first time, on a large and diversified sample of 70 strains belonging to all current DTUs (TcI to TcVI). Three DTU groups have been distinguished by specific PCR molecular weight, TcI (200 bp), TcII, V, VI (250 bp) and TcIII and IV (150 bp) with no incorrect grouping. These groups are epidemiologically and genetically relevant; moreover the method is easy and cheap and allows direct identification of parasites from triatomine faeces.