What is the difference between chagas disease and sleeping sickness

The insects become infected by sucking blood from animals or humans with circulating parasites. Ingested organisms multiply in the gut of the triatomines, and infective forms are discharged with the feces at the time of subsequent blood meals. Transmission to a second vertebrate host occurs when breaks in the skin, mucous membranes, or conjunctivae become contaminated with bug feces that contain infective parasites.

Initial infection at the site of parasite entry is characterized by local histologic changes that include the presence of parasites within leukocytes and cells of subcutaneous tissues and the development of interstitial edema, lymphocytic infiltration, and reactive hyperplasia of adjacent lymph nodes.

After dissemination of the organisms through the lymphatics and the bloodstream, primarily muscles including the myocardium Fig. The characteristic pseudocysts present in sections of infected tissues are intracellular aggregates of multiplying parasites.

Trypanosoma cruzi in the heart muscle of a child who died of acute Chagas myocarditis. An infected myocyte containing several dozen T. In persons with chronic T.

Changes include thinning of the ventricular walls, biventricular enlargement, apical aneurysms, and mural thrombi. Widespread lymphocytic infiltration, diffuse interstitial fibrosis, and atrophy of myocardial cells are often apparent. Although parasites are difficult to find in myocardial tissue by conventional Your MyAccess profile is currently affiliated with '[InstitutionA]' and is in the process of switching affiliations to '[InstitutionB]'.

This div only appears when the trigger link is hovered over. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Science News. Widespread tolerance to parasites In a vast review study, IRD and Cirad researchers highlighted that humans can live with these pathogens for many years before falling ill or getting rid of them.

A genetic heritage This tolerance to parasites partly stems from DNA mutations in the exposed populations. A godsend or an obstacle in the eradication of these diseases? Trends in Parasitology , ; 32 2 : DOI: ScienceDaily, 10 February Sleeping sickness, chagas disease, leishmaniasis: A multitude of healthy carriers.

Retrieved November 10, from www. Image credit: Genome Research Limited. Blood smear taken from an individual with trypanosomiasis pink circles are red blood cells; purple swirls are trypanosome parasites. Myron G. Insecticidal spraying against tsetse fly in Nigeria. Image credit: Wellcome Library, London. Infectious diseases are caused by microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites and can spread between individuals. Spread by mosquitos, malaria is one of the most common infectious diseases and a global public health challenge.

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