Trypanosoma Flashcards
Which disease does Trypanosoma Cruzi cause?
Chagas Disease
Which vector aids in the transmission of T. Cruzi?
Reduviid Bug
T. Cruzi is zoonotic (T/F)
True
What is the distribution of T. Cruzi?
Central and South America, Southern USA, Trinidad
What are the domestic hosts of T. Cruzi?
Humans, Dogs, Cats
Which are the wild hosts of T. Cruzi?
Armadillo, Opossum, Agouti, Rodents
What is type of lifecycle does the Reduviid bug have?
Hemimetabolous (no pupil stage)
The genus Trypanosoma is divided into 2 sections. What are they and what does it depend on?
- Depends on whether infective stages develop in the rectum or salivary glands of inverts.
- Stercoraria and salivaria
Which two species are subdivisions of Stercoraria for Trypanosomes?
- T. cruzi
- T. rangeli
Which two species are subdivisons of Salivaria for Trypanosomes?
- T. brucei rhodesiense
- T.b. gambiense
Trypanosoma rangeli causes what disease?
Apathogenic
Describe the shape of Trypanosoma rangeli under a microscope
- Prominent undulating membrane
- Long, pointed posterior end
Describe the shape of T. cruzi under a microscope
- ‘C’ or ‘S’ shaped.
- Large, prominent subterminal kinetoplast.
- Elongated nucleus
- Undulating membrane
What are the clinical features of patients in the acute phase of Chagas’ disease?
- Fever
- Progressive anemia
- Edmea
- Lymphadenopathy
- Hepatosplenomegaly
- EKG abnormalities
- CNS involvement -> death or recovery
What are the pathological features of patients in the acute phase of Chagas’ disease?
- Edema
- Degeneration of parasitized tissue
What features do patients in the intermediate phase of Chagas’ disease exhibit?
Asymptomatic
What clinical features do patients in the Chronic phase of Chagas’ disease exhibit?
- Fever
- Constipation
- Abdominal distension
- EKG abnormalities
What pathological features do patients in the chronic phase of Chagas’ disease exhibit?
- Destruction of myocardial fibers and ganglion cells (Cardiomegaly; apical aneurysms)
- Destruction of myenteric plexus (megacolon/megaesophagus)
Which drugs are given to patients in the acute phase of Chagas’ disease?
-Nifurtimox
-Benzimadazole
(both with greater than 80% success rate)
What treatment is given to patients in the chronic phase of Chagas’ disease?
Support Therapy
How do you control and prevent T. Cruzi infection?
- Education
- Improved housing
- Vector control
- Screening of blood donors and children in endemic areas
Is there a vaccine available for T. Cruzi?
No
How does T. cruzi transmission occur?
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
Besides Reduviid bug bite, what are other ways T. cruzi is transmitted?
- Blood transfusions
- organ transplants
- Vertical transmission from mother to child
