Trypanosoma cruzi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Trypanosoma cruzi is a species of parasitic protozoan trypanosomes. The species causes the trypanosomiasis diseases in humans and animals in America. The species is transmitted by the feces of reduviid bugs.
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 Trypanosoma cruzi, crithidia.
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Human American Trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, is a potentially fatal disease of humans. It has two forms, trypomastigote found in human blood and amastigote found in tissues. The acute form usually goes unnoticed and may present as a localized swelling at the site of entry of the parasites in the skin. The chronic form may develop 10 to 20 years after infection. This form affects internal organs (e.g. the heart, esophagus, colon and the peripheral nervous system). Affected people may die from heart failure.
Therapy consists of Nifurtimox and benznidazole for acute cases. There is currently no effective therapy for chronic cases.
[edit] External Links
- VCU Virtual Parasite Project , T-cruzi parasite simulation
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