How does T. cruzi reproduce?
The life cycle is fairly complex and we will not go into all the names of the various immature forms. Basically, kissing bugs feed on the blood of mammals like mosquitoes do. The bug generally bites at night and the bite is not painful. The bug ingests the mature form of T. cruzi from the infected mammal. The parasite goes through several developmental stages in the bug’s digestive system. Unfortunately, the hygienic practices of the bug are not too appealing — while feeding, it defecates on the mammal and T. cruzi enters the skin through the bite wound or perhaps an abrasion. It can also enter the mammal through the lips, nose, or eyes that may be contaminated with the bug’s feces. Inside the mammal, T. cruzi enters muscles and other cells and starts reproducing by dividing in two. After a few days, the cells rupture and T. cruzi can either enter the circulation and be ingested by the bugs, or enter other cells where they repeat the process of reproducing and rupturing the host’s
