American Trypanosomiasis

Pronunciation
/Am-er-ikan try-pan-o-soh-mee-aye-teez/
Category
Disease
Singular
American Trypanosomiasis
Plural
American Trypanosomiasis

Definition

A parasitic disease caused by the protozoan parasite *Trypanosoma cruzi*, transmitted by triatomine bugs (also known as kissing bugs), characterized by fever, fatigue, and swelling of lymph nodes.

Etymology

From the Greek *trypanon* meaning 'borer' and *soma* meaning 'body', and *cruzi* in honor of Dr. Carlos Chagas who discovered the disease.

Example

American trypanosomiasis can be fatal if left untreated.

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