American Trypanosomiasis

Question 1

A section of heart tissue in a man from Bolivia

1. Name this parasite
2. What is the lifecycle stage
3. Name one drug used to treat infection with this parasite

Answer 1

1. Trypanosoma cruzi (based on geographic location and heart tissue but not definitative unless there are further clues)
2. Amastigote (indistinguishable from Leishmania amastigotes)
3. Benznidazole

Question 2

1. Name this parasite to the species level
2. State your reasons
3. Name one vector for this parasite to the genus level
4. Name two drugs used to treat infection with this parasite

Answer 2

1. Trypanosoma cruzi
2. Features:
   * Characteristic trypomastigote
   * Prominent, bulging kinetoplast at the posterior end
   * Flagellum along the undulating membrane exiting at the anterior end
3. Triatoma spp.
4. Drugs
   * Benznidazole (better tolerated and with more evidence)
   * Nifurtimox

Question 3

1. Name this parasite to the species level
2. State your reasons
3. Name one vector for this parasite to the genus level
4. Name two drugs used to treat infection with this parasite

Answer 3

1. Trypanosoma cruzi
2. Features:
   * Characteristic trypomastigote
   * Prominent, bulging kinetoplast at the posterior end
   * Flagellum along the undulating membrane exiting at the anterior end
3. Triatoma spp.
4. Drugs
   * Benznidazole (better tolerated and with more evidence)
   * Nifurtimox

Question 4

1. Name this parasite to the species level
2. State your reasons
3. Name one vector for this parasite to the genus level
4. Name two drugs used to treat infection with this parasite

Answer 4

1. Trypanosoma cruzi
2. Features:
   * Characteristic trypomastigote
   * Prominent, bulging kinetoplast at the posterior end
   * Flagellum along the undulating membrane exiting at the anterior end
3. Triatoma spp.
4. Drugs
   * Benznidazole (better tolerated and with more evidence)
   * Nifurtimox

Question 5

A section of heart tissue in a man from Bolivia

1. Name this parasite
2. What is the lifecycle stage
3. Name one drug used to treat infection with this parasite

Answer 5

1. Trypanosoma cruzi (based on geographic location and heart tissue but not definitative unless there are further clues)
2. Amastigote (indistinguishable from Leishmania amastigotes)
3. Benznidazole