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The major goal of studies on immunity to Trypanosoma cruzi is the understanding of immunological mechanisms involved in resistance to this protozoan as well as the pathogenesis of Chagas’ disease. Different studies have defined CD8+ T lymphocytes, IFN-γ and macrophages as important elements controlling parasite replication during the acute phase of infection. In contrast, during the chronic stage of the disease parasite-specific antibodies that fix complement and lyse the blood from trypomastigotes are thought to be the main effector molecules responsible for maintaining latent infection. In both acute and chronic infection with T. cruzi CD4+ Th1 lymphocytes appear to be the main cells responsible for induction of protective immunity. The immunological mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Chagas’ disease are much more controversial. CD8+ lymphocytes are thought to be the main effector cells …