Fig. 4From: Impact of Trypanosoma cruzi on antimicrobial peptide gene expression and activity in the fat body and midgut of Rhodnius prolixus Antibacterial activity in the posterior midgut of Rhodnius prolixus infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. R. prolixus 5th instar nymphs were fed inactivated blood containing the T. cruzi Dm 28c clone or Y strain at a final concentration of 1 × 107 epimastigotes/mL. The antibacterial activities were measured in vitro in posterior midgut samples seven days after infection and tested against (a) E. coli and (b) S. aureus. Treatments: black columns-uninfected insects; grid columns-T. cruzi Dm 28c-infected insects; striped columns-T. cruzi Y-infected insects. Antibacterial activity was measured through optical densities using the turbidimetric assay (OD550 nm) after 19 h of incubation of posterior midgut samples with bacteria. Bars represent the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments with nine pools of insects (n = 9). Means were compared using one-way ANOVA and Student’s T-test; * p < 0.05Back to article page