Trypanosoma cruzi
Morphological Characteristics
The undulating membrane the short flagellum allow this parasite to have motility.
Identification Methods
Hosts can remain asymptomatic for years until the parasite reaches the chronic phase. Once this happens the host might experience sever cardiovascular and gastrointestinal issues. Trypomastigotes can be found in the blood or in the spinal fluid using antibody detection.
LIFE CYCLE
- Infected triatomine insect vector takes blood meal from human host and releases the parasite through its feces into the bite wound
-The parasite enters the host through the bite wound or through intact mucosal membranes
- Inside the host they invade cells surrounding the area where they entered in the form of amastigotes
- They multiply by binary fission and then form trypomastigotes
- These are released into the bloodstream to go infect new cell sites in the same manner
- The insect vector becomes infected by feeding on human/animal blood which contains these parasites.
- The parasites transform into epimastigotes in the vector’s midgut in order to be transmitted through blood meals on humans
HOST INFORMATION
- Definitive Host: Humans
- Endemic in wildlife reservoirs in southern part of Americas downward
- More common in rural and impoverished areas
- Drugs can be used to kill parasites
- Triatomine bugs live primarily in mud, thatch, or adobe huts in Mexico, South America, and Central America, so being in these types of environments increases the risk of getting Chagas
GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION
This parasite is found in the Americas.
SOURCES
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/biology.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327250
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chagas-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20356218
http://www.fao.org/3/X0413E/X0413E02.htm