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Trypanosoma cruzi

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Trypanosoma cruzi is a species of parasitic protozoan trypanosomes. The species causes the trypanosomiasis diseases in humans and animals in America. The species is transmitted by the faeces of reduvids.

Trypanosoma cruzi
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T. cruzi

Human American Trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, is a potentially fatal disease of humans. It has two forms. The acute form usually goes unnoticed and may present as a localized swelling at the site of entry of the parasites in the skin. The 'chronic' form may develop 10 to 20 years after infection. This form affects internal organs (e.g. the heart, oesophagus, colon and the peripheral nervous system). Affected people may die from heart failure.