3.12: Trypanosomes

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https://pressbooks.library.ualberta.ca/mlsci/?p=359

Images of peripheral blood smears showing C shaped trypanosomes (center). From MLS Collection, University of Alberta.

Image 1: 50x oil immersion. https://doi.org/10.7939/R3QZ22Z5K

Image 2: 100x oil immersion. https://doi.org/10.7939/R3M61C52N

Appearance:

Hemoflagellates that are often visualized using Giemsa stain during screening of thin and thick smears, though they are visible by regular Romanowsky staining procedures.¹

Trypomastigotes appear C or U shaped in the peripheral blood, usually seen extracellular to the red blood cells.²

Organisms:

The Reduviid bug (“kissing bug”) carries Trypanosoma cruzi in it’s gut where it matures. During a blood meal, the Reduviid bug releases T.cruzi via feces onto the feeding sites or mucous membranes where it can cause infection in the bloodstream.²

Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas Disease.²

References:

1. Rodak BF, Carr JH. Microorganisms. In: Clinical hematology atlas. 5th ed. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Inc.; 2017. p. 195-202.

2. Ahmad N, Drew WL, Lagunoff M, Pottinger P, Reller LB, Sterling CR. Sarcomastigophora-the amebas. In: Ryan KJ, Ray CG, editors. Sherris medical microbiology. 6th ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2014. p. 823-44.