Vector for T. rangeli: reduviid bug Rodnius prolixus
Normal hosts: mammals (opossums, dogs, primates, rodents, etc)
The trypomastigote:
(1) is nonpathogenic for humans.
(2) can circulate for months after infection.
(3) can be transmitted by blood transfusion.
(4) may be difficult to find on a peripheral blood smear unless a concentration technique is used.
(5) resembles that of African trypanosomiasis.
(5) can be isolated by hemoculture or injection into mice.
(6) can be identified by PCR.
Since T. rangeli is nonpathogenic it is important not to misdiagnose it as T. cruzi. Since both can co-exist it is important not to stop looking for T. cruzi once T. rangeli is identified.
