Moneran and Protistan

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology Further reading

trypanosome

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

trypanosome , microscopic, one-celled protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma, typically living as an active parasite in the bloodstream of a vertebrate; hundreds of species are known. A trypanosome is long and pointed and possesses a flagellum. The flagellum arises at the front, or anterior, end of the parasite and curves back to form the edge of a long, undulating membrane used in locomotion. Trypanosomes have a complex life cycle; most species undergo part of their development in the digestive tract of insects, which spread the parasite by biting.

Many trypanosomes do not appear to harm their hosts, but a number of species cause serious diseases in humans or domestic animals (see trypanosomiasis ). T. gambiense and T. rhodesiense causes African sleeping sickness and is transmitted by tsetse flies . T. cruzi is the cause of Chagas' disease , prevalent in South and Central America, which affects the nervous system and heart; it is transmitted by the bite of assassin bugs . Other species, restricted in distribution to Africa and Asia, cause diseases of horses and cattle. Control measures include elimination or reduction of the insect carrier populations and measures to reduce the likelihood of bites.

Trypanosomes are classified in the phylum Mastigophora of the kingdom Protista .

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trypanosome

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

trypanosome genus of protozoa, species of which are parasitic in the blood. XIX. f. Gr. trúpanon borer + sôma body.

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T. F. HOAD. "trypanosome." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "trypanosome." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-trypanosome.html

T. F. HOAD. "trypanosome." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-trypanosome.html

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	Mutant Trypanosome Holds Clues For Sleeping Sickness Drugs. Newspaper article from: BioWorld International; 1/9/2002
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	Awaking a sleeping epidemic.(Clinical Images)(Case study) Magazine article from: South African Medical Journal; 4/1/2007