Autochthonous <i>Trypanosoma</i> spp. in European Mammals: A Brief Journey amongst the Neglected Trypanosomes

The genus <i>Trypanosoma</i> includes flagellated protozoa belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae (Euglenozoa, Kinetoplastida) that can infect humans and several animal species. The most studied species are those causing severe human pathology, such as Chagas disease in South and Centr...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Alice Magri, Roberta Galuppi, Marialetizia Fioravanti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-03-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/334
Description
Summary:The genus <i>Trypanosoma</i> includes flagellated protozoa belonging to the family Trypanosomatidae (Euglenozoa, Kinetoplastida) that can infect humans and several animal species. The most studied species are those causing severe human pathology, such as Chagas disease in South and Central America, and the human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or infections highly affecting animal health, such as nagana in Africa and surra with a wider geographical distribution. The presence of these <i>Trypanosoma</i> species in Europe has been thus far linked only to travel/immigration history of the human patients or introduction of infected animals. On the contrary, little is known about the epidemiological status of trypanosomes endemically infecting mammals in Europe, such as <i>Trypanosoma</i><i>theileri</i> in ruminants and <i>Trypanosoma</i><i>lewisi</i> in rodents and other sporadically reported species. This brief review provides an updated collection of scientific data on the presence of autochthonous <i>Trypanosoma</i> spp. in mammals on the European territory, in order to support epidemiological and diagnostic studies on Trypanosomatid parasites.
ISSN:2076-0817