Thelansis

  Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a zoonotic illness caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The disease is primarily transmitted by the reduviid bug, commonly called the kissing bug or triatomine bug. Transmission occurs through contact with the bug's contaminated feces or urine. The parasite enters the body through mucous membranes or open bite wounds. The infective trypomastigote form is most concentrated in the feces of infected reduviid bugs. Alternate routes of transmission include: Vertical transmission from mother to fetus, resulting in congenital Chagas disease Organ transplantation Transfusion of blood and blood products Upon entering the body through a wound or mucous membrane, the infectious trypomastigote can be found in the bloodstream plasma. The amastigote stage of the parasite resides within pseudocysts located in muscle or nerve cells. The parasite targets the myocardium and myenteric plexus of the gastrointestinal tract, wh