Species
Trypanosoma Cruzi
Algae and Protists
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Trypanosoma cruzi is a single-celled parasite that causes Chagas disease, transmitted mainly by triatomine insects, popularly called kissing bugs or assassin bugs, which defecate on a host's skin while feeding on blood; the parasite enters the body through the bite wound or when the host scratches the area, rubbing the contaminated feces into the skin. Beyond humans, it also infects other mammals, and it invades and lives within host tissue, particularly heart and digestive muscle. Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas discovered the parasite in 1909 and named its species after his mentor, Oswaldo Cruz.
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