How Do You Spell TRYPANOSOMA LEWISI?

1. Trypanosoma lewisi is a unicellular parasitic protozoan belonging to the genus Trypanosoma, which is a member of the family Trypanosomatidae. It is a species that infects rats and is primarily transmitted by fleas.

   Trypanosoma is a genus of flagellated protozoan parasites that can cause serious diseases in humans and animals, including African sleeping sickness and Chagas disease. These parasites are characterized by their elongated and spindle-shaped bodies. They possess a single, long, and whip-like flagellum, which enables them to move in a jerky, undulating manner.

   The specific species Trypanosoma lewisi is known to infect rats, causing a disease known as rat trypanosomiasis. Fleas act as vectors for transmission, and when an infected flea bites a rat, the protozoan cells are introduced into the bloodstream. Within the rat host, Trypanosoma lewisi can infect various tissues, including the brain, heart, and lymph nodes, causing systemic infection.

   Symptoms of Trypanosoma lewisi infection in rats can include fever, weight loss, anemia, and enlarged spleen. In severe cases, the infection can lead to death. Although this species primarily affects rats, there have been rare cases where humans have become infected. In humans, the symptoms are typically mild and may include fever, body aches, and swelling of the lymph nodes. Diagnosis is made through microscopic examination of blood or tissue samples.

2. A non-pathogenic parasite in the blood of rats.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for TRYPANOSOMA LEWISI

The word "Trypanosoma lewisi" is a biological name that consists of two parts: "Trypanosoma" and "lewisi".

The term "Trypanosoma" originates from the Greek words "trypanon" meaning "borer" or "auger" and "soma" meaning "body". It was coined in the mid-19th century to describe a genus of parasitic protozoans that have the ability to bore into tissues or bloodstreams of their hosts.

The term "lewisi" is added as the specific epithet in honor of Sir William Thomas Lewis, a British parasitologist. Sir William Lewis, who lived from 1885 to 1967, made significant contributions to the study of tropical diseases, including trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. For his pioneering work, this particular species of Trypanosoma was named after him.