156 



DISEASES DUE TO PROTOZOA 



Trypanosoma criizi. Trans- 

 verse section of a striated 

 muscle containing rounded 

 forms of the parasite in the 

 central portion. x 1,000 

 approx. (After Vianna.) 



gitis, encephalomeningitis, adhesions between the leptomeninges and 

 the cerebral cortex. 



The cerebro-spinal fluid is increased. 



A general myxocdematous condition is usually present under the 

 skin. 



MICROSCOPICALLY. 



Trypanosomes are foimd in the heart 

 muscle destroA'ing the sarcoplasm and con- 

 verting the muscle cells into cysts, ^\hich 

 rupture and discharge their contents into the 

 intermuscular tissues and causing patches of 

 interstitial myocarditis. 



There are often signs of peri- and endo- 

 carditis present. 



The central nervous svstem is affected in 

 a similar manner, but it is a neuroglial cell 

 that is invaded. 



The suprarenal capsule, kidneys or thy- 

 roid gland may be similarly affected. 

 SYMPTOMATOLOGY. 



Acute. — There is a violent attack of fever in a child or a new- 

 comer. 



The fever shows a morning remission and an e\'ening rise. 



The thyroid gland enlarges. 



The face becomes o^dematous whh characteristic crepitations. 



The lymphatic glands enlarge, especially in the neck. 



There may be fugitive cx^demas of any part. 



The spleen enlarges and becomes painful. 



The same takes place \\ ith the liver. 



Sometimes there are signs of meningitis. 



Sometimes there is albumin in the urine. 



The fever passes off to recur at intervals. 



During the attack trypanosomes are found in the blood. 



The child eventually dies, recovers or the condition becomes : — 



Chronic. — There is marked thyroiditis accompanied by loss of 

 hair. Mypertrophy of tiie lymphatic glands continues. There is a 

 dull expression, a bluish-bronze tinge to the skin, tach}-cardia, 

 intestinal and nervous disorders, convulsions. 



Chagus says that the chronic stage may show group s\'mptoms 

 ;is : — 



(i) Psciido-myxoedcmatous. 



There is hypertrophy of the lateral lobes of the thyroid gland in 



