Already at the onset of infection, i.e., inoculation of trypanosome-containing saliva upon the bite of a tsetse fly, components present in the saliva are able to (i) dampen local host inflammatory immune responses characterized by the release of trypanolytic molecules, i.e., tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nitric oxide (NO), thereby favoring parasite development and (ii) trigger mast cell degranulation resulting in release of histamine and increased vasodilatation, thereby allowing parasite dissemination/extravasation into the blood circulation [reviewed in Stijlemans et al. (72)]. Here, TNF is linked to infection.