View source for Trypanosoma

==Background==
===Microbiology===
* Flagellated vector-borne protozoan parasite of mammals in the genus ''Trypanosoma''
* Generally have three morphological states: epimastigote, amastigote, and trypomastigote
** ''[[T. cruzi]]'' has an intracellular amastigote while ''[[T. brucei]]'' do not, but rather multiply as trypomastigotes in the bloodstream
** Amastigotes are commonly intracellular, and are small with a very short flagellum
** Epimastigotes have a flagellum that runs along and connects as an undulating membrane, with the kinetoplast anterior to the nucleus
** Trypomastigotes have a similar flagellum as epimastigotes, but with the kinetoplast posterior to the nucleus
* Two major groups
** ''Stercoraria'', which multiply discontinuously in the mammal as amastigotes, and develop in the vector in the hindgut
*** Transferred via contaminated feces
*** e.g. ''[[Trypanosoma cruzi]]''
** ''Salivaria'', which multiply continuously in the mammal as trypomastigotes, and develop in the vector in the salivary glands
*** Transferred via saliva
*** e.g. ''[[Trypanosoma brucei]]''
* Three species infect humans
** ''[[Trypanosoma cruzi]]'', which causes Chagas disease
** ''[[Trypanosoma brucei gambiense]]'' and ''[[Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense]]'', which cause African sleeping sickness

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Trypanosoma''}}
[[Category:Protozoa]]