This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Biology and modes of transmission

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Transmission to mammals, including humans, occurs when faeces of reduviid bugs that contain infective organisms contaminate a bite, conjunctiva or mucosal surface. Local intracellular multiplication occurs.

Organisms are released as host cells die. Haematogenous spread occurs and new cells are parasitized.

A cycle is thus established alternating asynchronously between intracellular multiplying forms and nondividing but infective forms that circulate in the bloodstream. The cycle is completed when the reduviid bugs then ingest blood from an infected mammal and the cycle can then start again.

Infection may occur from mother to fetus which results in spontaneous abortion.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.