Trypanosoma: Common species
Two species of the genus Trypanosoma are well-known to cause chronic disease:
Trypanosoma brucei
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is a parasitic species well known to cause chronic African Trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness in humans. In animals, it can cause Animal Trypanosomiasis. Sleeping sickness in humans is characterised by headache, itchiness, numbness, and joint pains that gradually progress towards sleeping disorders. The protozoan is transmitted via Tsetse fly bite.
Trypanosoma cruzi
Trypanosoma cruzi rhodisiense causes acute African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease in humans, brucellosis in cows and surra in horses. The disease in humans is characterised by lymph node swelling, headache along with swelling in the insect-bitten area. Severe infection may lead to convulsions, heart failure, and coma followed by death.
Trypanosomes – Diagram, Morphology and Life Cycle
Trypanosoma is a genus of unicellular parasites responsible for diseases like African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. These parasites exhibit a distinctive morphology, featuring a long, undulating membrane and a flagellum for motility.
The cell body is elongated with a single nucleus and a kinetoplast containing mitochondrial DNA. Trypanosoma’s life cycle involves transmission through insect vectors, which affect human and animal health in various regions. In this article, we will learn about the morphology and life cycle of the Trypanosoma in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Trypanosoma?
- Trypanosoma Classification
- Labeled Diagram of Trypanosoma
- Morphology of Trypanosoma
- Life Cycle of Trypanosoma
- Life Cycle of Trypanosoma Diagram
- Trypanosoma: Common species
- Diseases Caused by Trypanosoma
- Disease Prevention
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