What disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi?
What disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi?
Chagas disease is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, which is transmitted to animals and people by insect vectors and is found only in the Americas (mainly, in rural areas of Latin America where poverty is widespread). Chagas disease (T. cruzi infection) is also referred to as American trypanosomiasis.
What is the morphology of Trypanosoma cruzi?
Morphology. T. cruzi has three morphological forms: the tyrpomastigote, the epimastigote, and the amastigote. Trypanosomes are present in the circulating blood.
Where is Trypanosoma cruzi found in the body?
Chagas (CHAH-gus) disease is an inflammatory, infectious disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This parasite is found in the feces of the triatomine (reduviid) bug.
What organ is targeted during an infection with Trypanosoma cruzi?
Tissue infectivity of Trypanosoma cruzi in mammals.
| Target tissue | Human | |
|---|---|---|
| Acute | Chronic | |
| Spleen | ND | ND |
| Stomach/esophagus | ND | Vago et al. (91) |
| Thymus | ND | ND |
What is the vector of Trypanosoma cruzi?
cruzi vector. Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted by kissing bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). The most common genera responsible for transmission of the disease are Triatoma, Rhodnius, and Panstrongylus. Infection usually occurs after bugs defecate on the bite site and are rubbed into the wound by the host scratching.
What is the infective stage of Trypanosoma cruzi?
The trypomastigote is the infective flagellated form of the parasite found in the blood of the mammalian hosts (blood trypomastigote) and in the hindgut of vectors (metacyclic trypomastigote). Image courtesy of Peter Darben, MD. Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis).
What are two ways Chagas disease can be spread?
Chagas disease can be transmitted in five different ways: by a vector (through the faeces of an insect), through vertical or congenital transmission (from mother to her child during pregnancy), by way of blood transfusions or organ transplants, by ingesting contaminated food or drinks, or because of laboratory …
What is the most common treatment for Chagas disease?
Treatment. To kill the parasite, Chagas disease can be treated with benznidazole or nifurtimox. Both medicines are nearly 100% effective in curing the disease if given soon after infection at the onset of the acute phase, including the cases of congenital transmission.
