Trypanosomiasis is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma and transmitted via blood-sucking insects. It manifests as either African sleeping sickness or Chagas disease. African sleeping sickness is caused by T. b. gambiense or T. b. rhodesiense transmitted by tsetse flies, while Chagas disease is caused by T. cruzi transmitted by reduviid bugs. The diseases present with fever, headaches, and other nonspecific symptoms, progressing in African sleeping sickness to mental dullness and sleepiness. Diagnosis involves identifying the parasites in blood or tissue samples or through serological tests.

1. TrypanosomesTrypanosomes

2. TrypanosomiasisTrypanosomiasis
Is a disease caused by a protozoan parasiticIs a disease caused by a protozoan parasitic
disease transmitted by haemo-flagellates of thedisease transmitted by haemo-flagellates of the
genus Trypanosomegenus Trypanosome
African Sleeping SicknessAfrican Sleeping Sickness
Chagas diseaseChagas disease

4. A blood sucking insect constitute theA blood sucking insect constitute the
intermediate Host and Vectorintermediate Host and Vector

5. Causative AgentsCausative Agents
African Sleeping SicknessAfrican Sleeping Sickness
 T.b.gambienseT.b.gambiense
 T.b. RhodienseT.b. Rhodiense
Vector: Tsetse FlyVector: Tsetse Fly
Chagas Disease (South America)Chagas Disease (South America)
 T. cruziT. cruzi
Vector: Reduviid bugVector: Reduviid bug

6. TransmissionTransmission
 T.gambiense and T. rhodesienseT.gambiense and T. rhodesiense
(Inoculative transmission):(Inoculative transmission):
 The trypanosomes migrate to the mouth parts of theThe trypanosomes migrate to the mouth parts of the
vectors so that infection is transmitted by their bite.vectors so that infection is transmitted by their bite.
 T.cruzi:T.cruzi:
 The trypanosomes migrate to the hind and areThe trypanosomes migrate to the hind and are
passed in faeces.passed in faeces.

8. African TrypanosomoiasisAfrican Trypanosomoiasis
Clinical FeaturesClinical Features
AcuteAcute
 Intermittent feverIntermittent fever
 ChillsChills
 HeadacheHeadache
 LymphadenopathyLymphadenopathy
(posterior Cervical)(posterior Cervical)
ChronicChronic
 Increasing headacheIncreasing headache
 Mental dullnessMental dullness
 ApathyApathy
 SleepinessSleepiness

9. Histopathology shows chronic meningoencephalitis. Morula cells are seenHistopathology shows chronic meningoencephalitis. Morula cells are seen
which are atypical plasma cells containing mulberry shaped masses of IgAwhich are atypical plasma cells containing mulberry shaped masses of IgA

12. American TrypanosomiasisAmerican Trypanosomiasis
 Also called Chaga’s DiseaseAlso called Chaga’s Disease
 While investigating malaria Carlos ChagasWhile investigating malaria Carlos Chagas
accidentally found the trypanosome in theaccidentally found the trypanosome in the
intestine of a bug, in Brazil in 1909.intestine of a bug, in Brazil in 1909.
 Chags named the parasite T. cruzi after hisChags named the parasite T. cruzi after his
mentor Oswaldo Cruzmentor Oswaldo Cruz

13. T.cruziT.cruzi
Sites commonly affected:Sites commonly affected:
 Myocardium (conduction defects)Myocardium (conduction defects)
 Skeletal muscleSkeletal muscle
 Neuroglial cellsNeuroglial cells
 Cells of the Reticuloendothelial cellsCells of the Reticuloendothelial cells
 Autonomic nerve cells – megadisease i.e.Autonomic nerve cells – megadisease i.e.
Megaoesphagus, megacolon and megaureterMegaoesphagus, megacolon and megaureter

14. Romana’s signRomana’s sign

15. DiagnosisDiagnosis
 Demonstration of trypanosomes in blood orDemonstration of trypanosomes in blood or
tissuestissues
 Culture in NNN i.e. Novy-McNeal-NicolleCulture in NNN i.e. Novy-McNeal-Nicolle
mediummedium
 SerologySerology
 XenodiagnosisXenodiagnosis

16. QUESTIONS???QUESTIONS???