Trypanosoma cruzi is a species of parasitic euglenoid protozoans. Trypanosoma cruzi can cause Chagas disease which is “a protozoan disease of the cardiovascular system”. (Tortora, G.J., Funke, B.R., & Case, C. L. (N.d.) Microbiology: An introduction.) originating from a triatomine bug. The triatomine bug is a type of reduviid bug that can carry the parasite trypanosoma cruzi. These bugs are found mostly in the southern parts of america America as well as found in Mexico, Central America and South America. They are found in mud or stone huts beneath porches and under cement. (Cdc.gov,. 'CDC - Chagas Disease - General Information - Vector Information' July 19,2013 Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/vectors/index.html#list) …show more content…
Although human hosts are the main source of blood meal for the insect, other wild animals such as birds and reptiles can become infected as well. (Cdc.gov,. 'CDC - Chagas Disease - General Information - Vector Information' July 19,2013 Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/chagas/gen_info/vectors/index.html#list) The human host then scratches the bug bite causing an open wound, getting the parasite into the bug bite hole or subsequently getting it on their hands and into a mucous membrane. “Meta acrylic trypomastigotes reaches the bloodstream and enter various cells such as muscle cells, macrophages, neurons and epithelial