Isolation of RNA and DNA from Trypanosoma cruzi

The World Health Organization estimates that between 16 and 18 million people are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi , the protozoan parasite that causes American trypanosomiasis, or “Chagas′ disease” (1 ). An additional 70 million people are thought to be at risk of infection with the parasite. The only drugs available are nifurtimox and benznidazole, but they have unpleasant side-effects and are effective only in the acute phase of infection (2 ). There is no vaccine available for Chagas′ disease.