Lecture 2 - Trypanosomes (Haemoflagellates)

What is the order, family, and genus of trypanosomes?

-Order: Kinetoplastida

-Family: trypanosomatidae

-Genus: Trypanosoma/Leishmania

What do trypanosomes contain cellularly that allow for diagnosis? What is its function?

Kinetoplast - rudimentary mitochondria

What is a? Where is it found? What species is it found in?

-Amastigote stage

-Intracellular form

-Found in Leishmania and T. cruzi

What is b? Where is it found? What species is it found in?

-Promastigote stage

-Extracellular form found in insects

-Leishmania

What is c? Where is it found? What species is it found in?

-Epimastigote

-Extracellular form found in insects

-Trypanosomes (except leishmania)

What is d? Where is it found? What species is it found in?

-Trypomastigote

-Extracellular in blood stream

-Both Leishmania and Trypanosomes

What are the three African Trypanosomes of veterinary importance?

1. Trypanosoma brucei brucei

2. Trypanosoma congolense

3. Trypanosoma vivax

How is Trypanosoma brucei brucei transmitted? Who does it affect? What is the reservoir?

-Transmitted by tsetse flies

-Affects livestock and humans

-Wildlife (buffalo) reservoirs

How is Trypanosoma congolense transmitted? Who does it affect? What is the reservoir?

-Transmitted by tsetse flies

-Affect livestock (particularly cattle)

-Wildlife (buffalo) reservoirs

How is Trypanosoma vivax transmitted? 

-Transmitted by tsetse flies and hematophagus dipterans

For the African trypanosomes, what are the clinical signs?

-Anemia

-Intermittent fever

-Edema

-Chronic wasting

-Swollen lymph nodes

-Death

How are the african trypanosomes diagnosed?

-Giesma stain of blood smear

-Lymph node biopsy

-ELISA test

-PCR

What is the treatment and control for the African Trypanosomes?

-Treatment: diminazene aceturate, melarsomine dichlorhydrate, suramin, isometamidium chloride

-Control: insecticide treated traps

What animals does Trypanosoma evansi affect?

horses (most importantly), mules, buffalo, deer, camels, llama, cattle

What are the clinical signs of Trypanosoma evansi?

nervous signs, weight loss, progressive anemia, icterus

What are the species affected and transmission of Trypanosoma equiperdum?

-Species affected: horses, donkeys, mules, zebras

-Transmission: sexually

What are the clinical signs of Trypanosoma equiperdum?

Genital edema, mucopurulent discharge, and neurological signs

What are the affected species of Trypanosoma cruzi? What transmits it?

-Humans and canines

-Transmitted by Triatoma (kissing bug) through feces

What are the clinical signs of the acute phase in Trypanosoma cruzi? Chronic phase?

-Acute phase: fever, localized/generalized lymphadenopathy, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy

-Chronic phase: right-side CHF, myocarditis, arrhythmias, bilateral cardiac dilation

What is the diagnosis and treatment of trypanosoma cruzi?

-Diagnosis: travel history, Giesma stain of blood smear or lymph node biopsy, serology, PCR, culture

-Treatment: Benznidazole (not available in the US)