Which statement accurately contrasts Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi in terms of their vectors and main clinical manifestations?

• A. T. brucei by tsetse flies with liver failure; T. cruzi by triatomine bugs with only acute illness
• B. T. brucei by mosquitoes; T. cruzi by fleas with GI symptoms
• C. T. brucei is transmitted by tsetse flies and later CNS involvement; T. cruzi by triatomine bugs with acute signs and chronic cardiomyopathy
• D. T. brucei by triatomine bugs; T. cruzi by tsetse flies with CNS involvement

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that these two parasites differ in their vectors and how the disease unfolds. Trypanosoma brucei is transmitted by tsetse flies and, as the illness progresses, tends to involve the central nervous system, leading to sleep disturbances and other neurologic symptoms in later stages. Trypanosoma cruzi is spread by triatomine bugs and often starts with an acute phase, then may progress to a chronic phase marked by cardiomyopathy and autonomic GI complications. So the statement that best captures both parts is that T. brucei is transmitted by tsetse flies with CNS involvement later, while T. cruzi is transmitted by triatomine bugs with acute signs and chronic cardiomyopathy.