Trypanosoma cruzi

The parasitic microorganism that causes Chagas disease.

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a species found in feces of many wild and domestic animals throughout the Americas; it is usually transmitted by reduviid bugs of the genera Panstrongylus, Triatoma, and Rhodnius. It is the etiologic agent of Chagas disease in humans. Called also T. triatomae and Schizotrypanum cruzi.

Trypanosoma cruzi in a thin blood smear. The flagellum leaves the body at the anterior end and runs along the undulating membrane (Giemsa stain).