The trypanosomes could indeed be successfully killed with the dye trypan red.
2.
In 1904 they successfully prepared a red arsenic dye they called Trypan Red for the treatment of sleeping sickness.
3.
Working with Hope Sherman, Gladys Leavell, and Lauretta Bender, among others, DeWitt examined several dyes as potential precursors to an anti-tuberculosis drug, including methylene blue and trypan red.