What is the structure of Trypanosoma cruzi?

As previously described T. cruzi has a single tubular mitochondrion which shares with the similar organelle from mammalian cells some features as the presence of DNA, cristae and a number of enzymes detected in its interior membrane.

What cells does Trypanosoma cruzi?

These results supported the hypothesis that T. cruzi can enter the host cell, mainly in macrophages, by phagocytosis. The recognition of Toll-like receptors 2 by trypomastigotes is also capable of inducing a phagocytic process (39) and initiating an inflammatory pathway.

What is the function of nucleus in Trypanosoma?

The presence of nucleus in living organisms characterizes the Eukaryote domain. The nucleus compartmentalizes the genetic material surrounded by a double membrane called nuclear envelope.

Does Trypanosoma cruzi have flagella?

During invasion of host cells by Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, the elongated, flagellated trypomastigotes remodel into oval amastigotes with no external flagellum. The underlying mechanism of this remodeling and the fate of the flagellum are obscure.

What is the habitat of Trypanosoma?

Parasites – African Trypanosomiasis (also known as Sleeping Sickness) African Trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness”, is caused by microscopic parasites of the species Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina species), which is found only in sub-Saharan Africa.

Where is Trypanosoma cruzi found in the body?

Chagas (CHAH-gus) disease is an inflammatory, infectious disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This parasite is found in the feces of the triatomine (reduviid) bug.

What is the life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi?

The life cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi involves two intermediate hosts: the invertebrate vector (triatomine insects) and the vertebrate host (humans) and has three developmental stages namely, trypomastigotes, amastigotes and epimastigotes [8].

What is the function of Glycosomes?

Glycosomes are membrane-bound microbody like intracellular organelles, which contain all the enzymes necessary for glycolysis, glycerol metabolism and fixation of CO2. The glycosomes also possess some enzymes associated with pyrimidine synthesis, purine salvage and ether-lipid biosynthesis [1,2].

How many flagella do Trypanosoma have?

Each T. brucei cell contains one flagellum that moves the cell body in an alternating right and left-handed twist resulting in bihelical motion (11) (Movie S1).

What are the two lineages of Trypanosoma cruzi?

The genome shows that there are two different lineages, T. Cruzi I andT. Cruzi II. The two have an average sequence divergence of 5.4%. T. Cruzi I infects marsupials and T. Cruzi II infects placental mammals. The sequenced strain is T. Cruzi CL Brener, which is part of T. Cruzi II.

How is Trypanosoma able to penetrate the host cell?

Trypanosoma uses several methods in order to penetrate the host’s cell: active penetration, active induction of receptor-mediated phagocytosis, and opsonin-mediated phagocytosis.

Why is calcium so important to Trypanosoma cruzi?

Calcium is very important to the survival of T. Cruzi. Since a large amount of it is needed for invasion, it is important for the cell to have large stores of calcium ready for use. This is because amastigotes live in the cytosol, not in the extracellular space as most eukaryotic cells.

What are the symptoms of the disease Trypanosoma?

Symptoms include headache, weakness, and joint pain in the initial stages; anaemia, cardiovascular problems, and kidney disorders as the disease progresses; in its final stages, the disease may lead to extreme exhaustion and fatigue during the day, insomnia at night, coma, and ultimately death.