Trypanosomes of the subgenus Megatrypanum from armadillos (Xenarthra:Dasypodidae).

A new species of trypanosome, Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) peba, is described from the peripheral blood of the armadillo Euphractus sexcinctus setosus from Bahia State, Brazil. Ten out of 29 specimens of the armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus from Pará State were found to have trypanosomes, including epimastigote forms, in impression smears of subcutaneous lymph nodes. The trypanosomes from D. novemcinctus are illustrated and were identified as belonging to the subgenus Megatrypanum on the basis of their general appearance, although they failed to multiply in blood-agar culture medium and no bloodstream forms were seen. This is the first published record of trypanosomes of this subgenus from armadillos and the first demonstration of epimastigote trypanosomes in the mammalian host other than in the bloodstream, or in the anal glands of opossums.