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Questions and Answers
What is the primary method by which trypomastigotes enter a host during Chagas disease transmission?
What is the primary method by which trypomastigotes enter a host during Chagas disease transmission?
Which of the following species is NOT considered a common triatomine vector for Chagas disease?
Which of the following species is NOT considered a common triatomine vector for Chagas disease?
What is a characteristic feature of the acute phase of Chagas disease?
What is a characteristic feature of the acute phase of Chagas disease?
What is the primary public health risk associated with body lice?
What is the primary public health risk associated with body lice?
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Which group of mammals commonly serves as reservoirs for Chagas disease?
Which group of mammals commonly serves as reservoirs for Chagas disease?
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What is the primary method through which Cimex lectularius infests humans?
What is the primary method through which Cimex lectularius infests humans?
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What unique mating behavior is exhibited by bed bugs?
What unique mating behavior is exhibited by bed bugs?
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Which species is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions?
Which species is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions?
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What is the main concern arising from bed bug bites?
What is the main concern arising from bed bug bites?
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How can Trypanosoma cruzi enter a host?
How can Trypanosoma cruzi enter a host?
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Study Notes
Life Cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi
- An infected triatomine insect vector ("kissing bug") takes a blood meal and releases trypomastigotes in its feces near the site of the bite.
- Trypomastigotes enter the host through the bite wound or intact mucosal membranes, such as the conjunctiva.
- Inside the host, the trypomastigotes invade cells near the site of inoculation, where they differentiate into intracellular amastigotes(1).
- The amastigotes multiply by binary fission(3) and differentiate into trypomastigotes, and then are released into the circulation as bloodstream trypomastigotes(4).
- Trypomastigotes infect cells from a variety of tissues and transform into intracellular amastigotes in new infection sites.
- The bloodstream trypomastigotes do not replicate, different from the African trypanosoma.
- When the parasites enter another host or are ingested by another vector.
- The kissing bug becomes infected by feeding on a human or animal.
- The ingested trypomastigotes transform into epimastigotes(5)
- epimastigotes multiply and differentiate in the midgut(7)
- trypomastigotes differentiate into the infective metacyclic trypomastigotes(8).
Chagas Disease
- Chagas disease has an asymptomatic phase and can present with an acute phase and a chronic phase.
- The acute phase is usually asymptomatic but can present with nonspecific somatic symptoms.
- Rarely, the acute phase may be more severe with potential cardiac or neurologic symptoms.
- Nodular lesions around the vector's feeding site.
- Chagas as palpable and peri ocular firm swelling, commonly referred to as occurring on the eyelids are common.
- Most acute cases resolve over a period of a few weeks or months.
- A subclinical chronic form of the disease.
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Description
Explore the intricate life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite responsible for Chagas disease. This quiz covers the stages from infection via the kissing bug to the transformation within the host. Test your understanding of the biology and transmission process of this significant pathogen.
