Greetings,
I work on a bloodsucking bug that transmits Chagas disease (or American
Trypanosomiasis). The agent Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted with the feces,
which is given off during or shortly after the blood meal. Usually, the
infection is said to occur whem the feces and the Trypanosomes are brought
into contact with wounds or with mucous membranes, especially in the eyes or
the mouth of the victim.
I have no problem with the fact that they can enter the body through wounds
and lesions. However, how do they get into the body through mucous membranes?
Is there a certain mechanism that allows them to cross intact cells layers, or
do they rely on little wounds here as well?
Thank you for any input,
Andreas
