NCIt related terms : Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis); Chagas disease;
Alternative definition : KEGG: Trypanosoma cruzi is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes Chagas
disease. The parasite life cycle involves hematophagous reduviid bugs as vectors.
Once parasites enter the host body, they invade diverse host cells including cardiomyocytes.
Establishment of infection depends on various parasite molecules such as cruzipain,
oligopeptidase B, and trans-sialidase that activate Ca2 signaling. Internalized parasites
escape from the parasitophorous vacuole using secreted pore-forming TcTOX molecule
and replicate in the cytosol. Multiplied parasites eventually lyse infected host cells
and are released in the circulation. During these events, the parasites manipulate
host innate immunity and elicit cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. T lymphocyte responses
are also disturbed.;