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Trympanosoma spp

 

 

Epidemiology

 

Classification and Characteristics

flagellate

Transmission and Infection

Tse-tse fly in Africa

Reduvid bug in South America

 

Host Defenses

Trympanosomes are attacked by antibodies, complement, and frustrated phagocytosis. However, most of the immune response is against the surface coat of variable surface glycoprotein. Periodic gene rearrangement and coat shedding leads to episodic disease.

Clinical Manifesations

trympanosomiasis (sleeping sickness in Africa; Chagas disease in South America)

fever, encephalitis, cardiac complications with Chagas disease

Diagnosis

blood smears

serology

 

Treatment