Trypanosoma

Question 1

Which disease does Trypanosoma Cruzi cause?

Answer 1

Chagas Disease

Question 2

Which vector aids in the transmission of T. Cruzi?

Answer 2

Reduviid Bug

Question 3

T. Cruzi is zoonotic (T/F)

Answer 3

True

Question 4

What is the distribution of T. Cruzi?

Answer 4

Central and South America, Southern USA, Trinidad

Question 5

What are the domestic hosts of T. Cruzi?

Answer 5

Humans, Dogs, Cats

Question 6

Which are the wild hosts of T. Cruzi?

Answer 6

Armadillo, Opossum, Agouti, Rodents

Question 7

What is type of lifecycle does the Reduviid bug have?

Answer 7

Hemimetabolous (no pupil stage)

Question 8

The genus Trypanosoma is divided into 2 sections. What are they and what does it depend on?

Answer 8

• Depends on whether infective stages develop in the rectum or salivary glands of inverts.
• Stercoraria and salivaria

Question 9

Which two species are subdivisions of Stercoraria for Trypanosomes?

Answer 9

• T. cruzi

- T. rangeli

Question 10

Which two species are subdivisons of Salivaria for Trypanosomes?

Answer 10

• T. brucei rhodesiense

- T.b. gambiense

Question 11

Trypanosoma rangeli causes what disease?

Answer 11

Apathogenic

Question 12

Describe the shape of Trypanosoma rangeli under a microscope

Answer 12

• Prominent undulating membrane

- Long, pointed posterior end

Question 13

Describe the shape of T. cruzi under a microscope

Answer 13

• ‘C’ or ‘S’ shaped.
• Large, prominent subterminal kinetoplast.
• Elongated nucleus
• Undulating membrane

Question 14

What are the clinical features of patients in the acute phase of Chagas’ disease?

Answer 14

• Fever
• Progressive anemia
• Edmea
• Lymphadenopathy
• Hepatosplenomegaly
• EKG abnormalities
• CNS involvement -> death or recovery

Question 15

What are the pathological features of patients in the acute phase of Chagas’ disease?

Answer 15

• Edema

- Degeneration of parasitized tissue

Question 16

What features do patients in the intermediate phase of Chagas’ disease exhibit?

Answer 16

Asymptomatic

Question 17

What clinical features do patients in the Chronic phase of Chagas’ disease exhibit?

Answer 17

• Fever
• Constipation
• Abdominal distension
• EKG abnormalities

Question 18

What pathological features do patients in the chronic phase of Chagas’ disease exhibit?

Answer 18

• Destruction of myocardial fibers and ganglion cells (Cardiomegaly; apical aneurysms)
• Destruction of myenteric plexus (megacolon/megaesophagus)

Question 19

Which drugs are given to patients in the acute phase of Chagas’ disease?

Answer 19

-Nifurtimox
-Benzimadazole
(both with greater than 80% success rate)

Question 20

What treatment is given to patients in the chronic phase of Chagas’ disease?

Answer 20

Support Therapy

Question 21

How do you control and prevent T. Cruzi infection?

Answer 21

• Education
• Improved housing
• Vector control
• Screening of blood donors and children in endemic areas

Question 22

Is there a vaccine available for T. Cruzi?

Answer 22

No

Question 23

How does T. cruzi transmission occur?

Answer 23

Bite by reduviid bug (horizontal) -> takes blood meal AT NIGHT around mouth/eyes then defecates and expels parasite in feces which is taken into mucous membrane or wounds

Question 24

Besides Reduviid bug bite, what are other ways T. cruzi is transmitted?

Answer 24

• Blood transfusions
• organ transplants
• Vertical transmission from mother to child