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What is the T. cruzi?
It is the parasite that transmits the Chagas disease.
It belongs to the Trypanosomatidae family. It
is a microscopic protozoan(animal of just one
cell). It is classified in the Stercoraria section
because is the only trypanosome transmitted via
feces of its vector (kissing bugs or vinchucas)
the rest of the trypanosomes are transmitted via
saliva, these ones are classified in the Salivaria
section as some other African Trypanosomes that
transmit the "sleeping sickness".
How's the T. cruzi?
The T. cruzi is very small (around 20 thousandths
of an millimeter) and has a very long body with
a flagellum and a wavy membrane. When these structures
are vibrating and shaking allow the movement in
the blood.
Which evolutionary forms can be identified
during the evolutionary cycle?
Four main forms can be identified: 1). tripomastigote,
2). epimastigotes, 3). amastigote, 4). spheromastigote
Are there different types of T. cruzi?
Some researching groups have analyzed some differences
and have classified the parasite in T. cruzi I
and T. cruzi II, but the two of them are related
with the Chagas disease in humans. The T. cruzi
I is related with the wild life and T. cruzi II
with domiciliary life.
Source of Information
• Tripanosoma cruzi, el invasor
Ciencia Hoy - Volumen 1 N° 2 Febrero/Marzo
1989
http://www.ciencia-hoy.retina.ar/hoy02/trypanosoma.htm
• Yves Carlier, MD, MSc.
Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis)
eMedicine.com, Inc.
http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic327.htm
Used with permission from eMedicine.com,
Inc., 2004. Carlier Y, Luquetti AO, Dias JCP,
Truyens C, et al. Chagas Disease (American Trypanosomiasis).
eMedicine Journal [serial online]. 2004. Available
at: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic327.htm.
Accessed Date (i.e., January 19, 2004). More Information
• Trypanosoma cruzi
• Life cycle
• Frequently Asked Questions
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