trypanosome
Trypanosomes are flagellated protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma, within the family Trypanosomatidae. They are kinetoplastids, characterized by a single, large mitochondrion containing a kinetoplast. The genus includes many species that infect a wide range of vertebrates and invertebrate vectors. The parasites exhibit complex life cycles that alternate between an insect vector and a vertebrate host, with distinct morphological forms such as bloodstream trypomastigotes in vertebrates and epimastigotes in the insect midgut and salivary glands. Antigenic variation, particularly in Trypanosoma brucei, allows evasion of host immune responses through changing surface glycoproteins.
The most prominent human pathogens are Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi. T. brucei causes African trypanosomiasis
Diagnosis relies on detecting parasites in blood, lymph, bone marrow, or CSF, supplemented by serology or molecular
Prevention focuses on vector control, protected housing, screening of blood products, and public health measures to