Symptoms
Stage One Treatments
- Pentamidine: Pentamidine is given to those with stage one West African sleeping sickness and is administered via injection or intravenously. ...
- Suramin: Suramin is used to treat East African sleeping sickness and is given intravenously. ...
- Fexinidazole: This new drug for West African sleeping sickness was approved in 2019. ...
Causes
The tsetse flies acquired their infection from human beings or from animals harboring human pathogenic parasites. African sleeping sickness occurs in 3 stages. A trypanosomal chancre can develop on the site of inoculation. This is followed by a hemolymphatic stage with symptoms that include fever, lymphadenopathy, and pruritus.
Prevention
Symptoms such as fever and severe headaches are both characteristics of the first stage of the disease. Both East African and West African forms of sleeping sickness commonly cause fever and headaches. The East African form is an acute, rapidly progressing infection and produces a high fever.
Complications
African sleeping sickness Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images Mortality rate: 42.5%. African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic infection transmitted by the tsetse fly. It is characterized by fever and ...
How do you cure African sleeping sickness?
What is the life cycle of African sleeping sickness?
What are the symptoms of African sleeping disease?
What is the mortality rate of African sleeping sickness?
What body systems does African sleeping sickness affect?
In African trypanosomiasis, different parts of the body are affected in the following order: Skin. Blood and lymph nodes. Brain and cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord)
How does African sleeping sickness affect the brain?
This overview discusses that the causative agents, the parasites Trypanosoma brucei, target circumventricular organs in the brain, causing inflammatory responses in hypothalamic structures that may lead to dysfunctions in the circadian-timing and sleep-regulatory systems.
How does the body fight African trypanosomiasis?
Macrophages are one of the most important cells that contribute to innate immunity to African trypanosomiasis. They are capable of influencing the adaptive immune response directly through antigen presentation or indirectly by secreting many effector molecules including cytokines.
What do you do if a tsetse fly bites you?
Seek immediate medical attention if bitten by a tsetse fly (the bite is painful) and symptoms appear. If untreated, African Trypanosomiasis can lead to a coma and be fatal. Treatment includes taking antiparasitic drugs.
How long does African sleeping sickness last?
It's a short-term (acute) illness that may last several weeks to months. People from the U.S. who travel to Africa are rarely infected. On average, 1 U.S. citizen is infected every year.
Is sleeping sickness curable?
Sleeping sickness is curable with medication but is fatal if left untreated.
How does Trypanosoma evade the immune system?
Trypanosoma brucei parasites successfully evade the host immune system by periodically switching the dense coat of variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) at the cell surface. Each parasite expresses VSGs in a monoallelic fashion that is tightly regulated.
Why is there no vaccine for African sleeping sickness?
Despite much research, no vaccine to prevent trypanosomiasis in animals or humans has been developed, and the prospects of developing one are very poor. The reason for this is that trypanosomes have evolved a system to evade the host's immune system by varying the structure of their surface coating (Vickerman, 1978).
How many people are affected by African sleeping sickness?
When left untreated, the mortality rate of African sleeping sickness is close to 100%. It is estimated that 50,000 to 500,000 people die from this disease every year.
What colors attract tsetse flies?
The tsetse fly is attracted to bright colors, very dark colors, metallic fabric, particularly the colors blue and black.
How do you know you have been bitten by tsetse fly?
A bite by the tsetse fly is often painful and can develop into a red sore, also called a chancre. Fever, severe headaches, irritability, extreme fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and aching muscles and joints are common symptoms of sleeping sickness. Some people develop a skin rash.
Do tsetse flies come out at night?
longipennis is most active just after sunset (Kyorku & Brady, 1994) and G. austeni, another savannah species, is active in the middle of the day.
Who is most at risk for African sleeping sickness?
Who is at risk for African sleeping sickness? The only people at risk for African sleeping sickness are those who travel to Africa. That's where the tsetse fly is found. The parasites that cause the disease are passed on only by the tsetse fly.
Can African sleeping sickness be treated?
Antitrypanosomal treatment is indicated for all persons diagnosed with African trypanosomiasis. Choice of therapy depends on the infecting subspecies of the parasite and on the disease stage. The first line drugs for both first and second stage disease are highly effective. Pentamidine is used to treat first stage T.
What 3 types of diseases does Trypanosoma cause?
brucei, which causes sleeping sickness in humans and nagana in cattle. T. cruzi, which causes Chagas disease in humans. Trypanosoma culicavium, which infects birds and mosquitoes.
How is African sleeping sickness diagnosed?
CSF testing is done after a parasitologic diagnosis has been made by microscopic examination of blood, lymph node aspirates, chancre fluid, or bone marrow or when indications of infection are present that justify a lumbar puncture (e.g., clinical signs and symptoms of sleeping sickness or strong serologic suspicion).
What is African sleeping sickness?
African sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis) is a disease caused by a parasite. It is passed on by the bite of the infected tsetse fly.
How is African sleeping sickness diagnosed?
Tests can find the parasite. These tests may include blood samples and a spinal tap (lumbar puncture). Your provider may also take a sample of chancre fluid or tissue, or fluid from swollen lymph nodes.
What are the complications of African sleeping sickness?
If the disease is not treated, the symptoms can worsen to a severe illness. Death will occur.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
If you have a fever, rash, or chancre (ulceration of the skin) after returning from areas in Africa where you may have been bitten by a tsetse fly, contact your healthcare provider.
How long does sleeping sickness last in Africa?
East African sleeping sickness is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. It’s a short-term (acute) illness that may last several weeks to months. People from the U.S. who travel to Africa are rarely infected.
What to wear to protect against tsetse flies?
Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants. Tsetse flies can bite through material, so clothing should be made of thick fabric. Wear khaki, olive, or other neutral-colored clothing. Tsetse flies are attracted to bright and dark contrasting colors.
How long does it take for a sore to show up after a bite?
A painful sore often shows up at the site of the bite within a week or so.It’s called a chancre. Each person may have slightly different symptoms. But symptoms tend to happen within 1 to 4 weeks of infection. At first, they may include fever, skin lesions, rash, swelling, or swollen lymph nodes on the back of the neck.
What is the parasite that causes sleep sickness?
Parasites - African Trypanosomiasis (also known as Sleeping Sickness) minus. Related Pages. African Trypanosomiasis, also known as “sleeping sickness”, is caused by microscopic parasites of the species Trypanosoma brucei. It is transmitted by the tsetse fly ( Glossina species), which is found only in sub-Saharan Africa.
Where is trypanosomiasis transmitted?
b. gambiense causes a slowly progressing African trypanosomiasis in western and central Africa and T. b.
What is Nifurtimox used for?
Nifurtimox: Nifurtimox is typically used to treat American trypanosomiasis (also called Chagas disease ), but it is sometimes combined with eflornithine to treat West African sleeping sickness. 26
How does trypanosomiasis spread?
Transmission. The most common way the African trypanosomiasis parasite is spread is through the tsetse fly, a large, biting fly found in much of sub-Saharan Africa. 12 When a tsetse fly bites someone who is infected, it becomes infected with the parasite itself.
How to protect against tsetse flies?
Use bug spray as directed. Insect repellants don’t appear to provide much protection from tsetse flies, but the flies aren’t the only insects that can transmit diseases. Mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue fever or malaria are also significant public health concerns for those living in regions where African trypanosomiasis can spread. 28
How often is eflornithine given?
Eflornithine: Eflornithine treats those with stage two West African sleeping sickness. 23 It’s administered intravenously four times a day for two weeks straight, which can be hard to manage in rural health settings. Due to this, it is sometimes combined with nifurtimox so that it can be given in less frequent doses.
What is the cause of African trypanosomiasis?
Prevention. African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is a neglected tropical disease caused by a parasite and spread by the tsetse fly in sub-Saharan Africa. Infections begin with mild to moderate symptoms like fever and body aches before moving on to serious neurological issues that include sleep disturbances ...
What tests can be used to diagnose African trypanosomiasis?
Doctors often rely on lab tests, like microscopy, to confirm an African trypanosomiasis diagnosis, but screening tests and physical exams can also be helpful in determining who should be tested and how. 1 .
What are the two main forms of trypanosomiasis?
The two primary forms of African trypanosomiasis are East African sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei Rhodesiense, and West African sleeping sickness , caused by Trypanosoma brucei Gambiense. 2
What is the cause of trypanosomiasis?
African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness, is caused by Trypanosoma brucei parasites in sub-Saharan Africa and is transmitted by the tsetse fly? ( Glossina ). American trypanosomiasis, or Chagas disease, is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites in Latin America and is transmitted by the triatomine or ‘kissing’ bug.
What happens if trypanosomiasis test results come back positive?
If these test results come back positive and show that an individual has trypanosomiasis then there is a further assessment to find out which stage the disease has progressed to.
Why is trypanosomiasis diagnosed early?
Diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis must be made as early as possible to prevent the disease from progressing into the second stage.
How many cases of trypanosomiasis are there in Africa?
African trypanosomiasis occurs in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Around 10,000 new cases of African trypanosomiasis are reported each year. However, it is estimated that many cases go undiagnosed.
Why is it called sleep sickness?
It gets its nickname ‘sleeping sickness’ because symptoms can include a disturbed sleep pattern.
Where do people with trypanosomiasis live?
Communities most at risk of trypanosomiasis live in rural areas where the tsetse fly is found . These communities often depend primarily on agriculture, fishing and hunting to survive and have limited access to health services and education. As a result, many cases of trypanosomiasis go undiagnosed.
What is the term for parasites that have a short, free flagellum?
At this stage of the life cycle the parasites are in their infective form, called metacyclic trypomastigotes, which have a short, free flagellum?.
What is African Sleeping Sickness?
Fig. 3 - African Sleeping Sickness affects 30,000 people every year. The disease has been found in 37 African countries, all in the Sub-Saharan areas. [3].
What is the only trypanosome microbe that humans are not resistant to?
Trypanosoma brucei, the form of trypanosomes that causes sleeping sickness, is expected to be a recent development within history of trypanosomes. Most researchers suspect this because Trypanosoma brucei is the only trypanosome microbe that humans are not resistant to. [1]
What happens when you get bit by a microbe?
When bitten, the microbe is immediately relocated into the bloodstream of the affected host. This is when the metacyclic form transforms into bloodstream trypomastigotes, otherwise known as the slender form of the trypanosome cell. The cell than enters a phase of exponential growth via binary fission. [10] .
How many cases of Trypanosoma brucei are reported annually?
About 10,000 cases of the disease are reported every year to the World Health organization, but unfortunately it is expected that the majority of cases go unreported and/or undiagnosed. Because this disease is vector borne, the microbe, Trypanosoma brucei, enters the human system by ways of the skin.
Where is Trypanosoma brucei transmitted?
[2] . The disease species is transmitted via the tsetse fly, a large biting fly located primarily in tropical African countries.
Which type of trypanosome cell type is transmitted from the tsetse fly to its host?
The trypanosome cell type that is transmitted from the tsetse fly to its mammalian host is metacyclic. [9] . Once this happens, an extensive series of chemical signals occurs to change this metacyclic form into the known and pathogenic cell that induces the symptoms of sleeping sickness.
What is the structure of Trypanosoma cells?
Cell Structure. Trypanosoma cells are small (approximately 50um) and heterotrophic, meaning they require complex carbon molecules as means of consumption. The shape of the cell itself is long and oval with curved edges and a strong flagellum projecting off of the back end of the cell (Fig. 4).
What are the two subspecies of trypanosomes?
African trypanosomes can be divided into two subspecies – one from East Africa ( T. brucei rhodesiense) and one from West Africa ( T. brucei gambiense). For reasons we don’t fully understand, T. brucei rhodesiense causes acute disease lasting from a few weeks to months and almost always results in death, while infection with T. brucei gambiense results in chronic disease that can last for many years and sometimes resolves without complications. Unfortunately, treatment for sleeping sickness caused by either subspecies is only moderately effective and involves “medicines” that sometimes do more harm than good to the infected person. Throughout much of the twentieth century, the only treatment for sleeping sickness after the parasites had infected the central nervous system was a drug called Melarsoprol, which contains arsenic in its chemical structure and kills approximately one in ten patients who take it [2]. To learn more about African sleeping sickness and the people affected by the disease, see the documentary film posted at [3].
How do trypanosomes affect the nervous system?
Eventually, some of the rapidly-multiplying trypanosomes wiggle their way across the blood-brain barrier, which separates the circulating blood from the central nervous system. Once the parasites enter the central nervous system, they can trigger changes in behavior, cause confusion and disrupt the sleep cycle (hence the name “sleeping sickness”). Without treatment, an infected person will likely fall into a coma and succumb to the disease, sometimes within weeks of showing the first symptoms.
What is the African sleeping sickness?
African sleeping sickness and its mark on the human genome: an evolutionary tale. Hidden deep in the rural villages of sub-Saharan Africa, a negle cted tropical disease called African sleeping sickness kills tens of thousands of people every year. Sleeping sickness is caused by a single-celled parasite named Trypanosoma brucei, ...
Can African Americans get kidney disease?
Thus, a mutation that was likely selected for its protective effect against infection with the T. brucei parasite also seems to contribute to kidney disease in African Americans later in life. Further work is certainly needed to identify whether the ApoL1 variants identified in this study actually exist in African communities often plagued by T. brucei infection. Screening patients for these variants can also help guide treatment for kidney disease and might prolong the time before kidney disease turns into kidney failure. Lastly, the hunt is on for other variations in the human genome that make us more or less susceptible to various infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and influenza. It is amazing to think about all the other ways that human pathogens may have shaped our genomes, without our knowing it.
Can you get T. brucei without treatment?
Without treatment, an infected person will likely fall into a coma and succumb to the disease, sometimes within weeks of showing the first symptoms. Figure 1. T. brucei (colored in blue) shown with the red blood cells with which they coexist in the human bloodstream (red). Image credit: http://www.parasitemuseum.com/trypanosome/.
Who is Daria Van Tyne?
Daria Van Tyne is a graduate student in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the Harvard School of Public Health.
Symptoms
Causes
Transmission
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
- The two primary forms of African trypanosomiasis are East African sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei Rhodesiense, and West African sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei Gambiense.