trypanosensitive

Trypanosensitive is an adjective used in parasitology and related biomedical fields to describe organisms, tissues, or cell systems that exhibit a relatively high susceptibility to infection, colonization, or pathogenic effects caused by parasites of the genus Trypanosoma. The term is not a formal taxonomic designation but a descriptive label that may vary with experimental conditions, parasite species, and host context.

In hosts, trypanosensitive denotes greater vulnerability to infection or disease; in cell culture, it refers to cell lines that permit efficient attachment, invasion, and intracellular replication by trypanosomes such as Trypanosoma brucei or Trypanosoma cruzi. In vector biology, certain tissues or developmental stages may be described as trypanosensitive if they support parasite establishment.

Assessment is typically through controlled infection assays, microscopic examination, and molecular detection methods such as PCR to quantify parasite burden and pathology. Researchers may compare trypanosensitive and trypanoresistant or tolerant models to uncover host defense mechanisms, parasite virulence factors, and potential interventions.

Because the term is context dependent, precise definition should be stated in each study. Related concepts include susceptibility, permissiveness, trypanotolerance, and vector competence. The term is not interchangeable with other uses of the stem trypano-, such as the viability dye trypan blue, though both share a common linguistic root.