The influence of hydroxyurea and colchicine on growth and morphology of Trypanosoma cruzi.

: Cultures of Trypanosoma cruzi have been exposed to the drugs hydroxyurea and colchicine. We found that hydroxyurea (200 microgram/ml) completely inhibited growth and differentiation of T. cruzi Y strain. Colchicine (200 microgram/ml) reduced the growth of T. cruzi 30% and stimulated cell differentiation from epimastigotes to trypomastigotes. Furthermore it caused anuclear cells with apparently intact kinetoplasts. The possible use of these anuclear forms in studies on kinetoplast DNA organization and expression is suggested.