Causes
Human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease. It is caused by infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma.
Symptoms
T. cruzi causes American trypanosomiasis, also called Chagas’ disease ( q.v. ), which occurs primarily in the Central and South American tropics and is spread by the bite of insects of the family Reduviidae, also known as “kissing bugs.”
Prevention
The causal organism belongs to a different Trypanosoma subgenus and is transmitted by a different vector. Other parasite species and sub-species of the Trypanosoma genus are pathogenic to animals and cause animal trypanosomiasis in wild and domestic animals. In cattle, the disease is called Nagana.
Complications
Both organisms can eventually invade the brain, causing mental deterioration, coma, and death. Other Trypanosoma species cause economically important diseases in livestock: nagana, dourine, surra, and mal de caderas. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Subscribe today
What is African trypanosomiasis?
What causes trypanosomiasis (Chagas’ disease)?
Can trypanosomiasis be transmitted to animals?
What are the diseases caused by Trypanosoma?
What 3 types of diseases does Trypanosoma cause?
Trypanosomes infect a variety of hosts and cause various diseases, including the fatal human diseases sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei, and Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi.
What causes African animal trypanosomiasis?
African animal trypanosomiasis is caused by those organisms that are transmitted by tsetse flies but do not ordinarily affect humans. The three most important species are Trypanosoma congolense (subgenus Nannomonas), T. vivax (subgenus Duttonella) and T. brucei subsp.
How does Trypanosoma causes sleeping sickness?
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.
What two diseases are caused by Trypanosoma?
Trypanosomiasis or trypanosomosis is the name of several diseases in vertebrates caused by parasitic protozoan trypanosomes of the genus Trypanosoma. In humans this includes African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease.
How does Trypanosoma affect the body?
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. Progressive confusion, personality changes, and other neurologic problems occur after infection has invaded the central nervous system.
How is trypanosomiasis prevented?
Can African sleeping sickness be prevented?Wear protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and pants. ... Wear khaki, olive, or other neutral-colored clothing. ... Use bed nets when sleeping.Look inside vehicles for tsetse flies before getting into them.More items...
What is the treatment for trypanosomiasis?
The acute phase of trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is treated with nifurtimox or benznidazole. Cases of congenital Chagas disease have been successfully treated with either drug. A single case of successful treatment of an adult with posaconazole (after failure of therapy with benznidazole) has been reported.
What happens if a tsetse fly bites you?
African trypanosomiasis, also called sleeping sickness, is a disease caused by a parasite. People can get this parasite when an infected Tsetse fly bites them. Symptoms include fatigue, high fever, headaches, and muscle aches. If the disease is not treated, it can cause death.
What is the mode of transmission of trypanosomiasis?
Tsetse flies bite during daylight hours. Both male and female flies can transmit the infection, but even in areas where the disease is endemic only a very small percentage of flies are infected. Although the majority of infections are transmitted by the tsetse fly, other modes of transmission are possible.
Where is Trypanosoma found?
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is found in 24 countries in west and central Africa. This form currently accounts for 97% of reported cases of sleeping sickness and causes a chronic infection. A person can be infected for months or even years without major signs or symptoms of the disease.
How is trypanosomiasis 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).
Who is the most common victim of African sleeping sickness?
Humans are infected by two types, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TbG) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (TbR). TbG causes over 98% of reported cases. Both are usually transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly and are most common in rural areas....African trypanosomiasisSpecialtyInfectious disease12 more rows
How is trypanosomiasis transmitted in animals?
Transmission. Most trypanosomes develop in tsetse flies (Glossina spp.), its biological vector, in about one to a few weeks. When an infected tsetse fly bites an animal, the parasites are transmitted through its saliva. It can also be spread by fomites such as surgical instruments, needles, and syringes.
What causes trypanosomiasis in cattle?
Trypanosomosis is usually transmitted through blood lymph and other fluids of infected animals. It is caused by Flagellated protozoan parasites that live in the fluids and tissue of its host animal. Often the disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tsetse fly which has been feeding on an infected animal.
What is the mode of transmission of trypanosomiasis?
They are transmitted to humans by tsetse fly ( Glossina genus) bites which have acquired their infection from human beings or from animals harbouring human pathogenic parasites. Tsetse flies are found just in sub-Saharan Africa though only certain species transmit the disease.
What animals are infected by Trypanosoma?
Animal trypanosomiasis occurs throughout the tropical regions of Africa and in large areas of Asia and South America. It affects cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, camels, and man. Also, wild animals can be infected with the parasites; however, they seldom suffer from disease.
How many species of Trypanosoma are there?
About 20 species of Trypanosoma are known, of which only two— T. cruzi and T. brucei —cause disease in humans. Each species is responsible for a different disease. T. cruzi causes American trypanosomiasis, also called Chagas’ disease ( q.v. ), which occurs primarily in the Central and South American tropics and is spread by the bite of insects ...
What is a trypanosome?
trypanosome, any member of a genus (Trypanosoma) of parasitic zooflagellate protozoans belonging to the order Kinetoplastida. Adult trypanosomes are mainly blood parasites of vertebrates, especially fishes, birds, and mammals. Most species require an intermediate host (often an insect or a leech) to complete their life cycle. Sleeping sickness (q.v.;also…
What is the cause of red tides?
representative protozoans. Representative protozoans. The phytoflagellate Gonyaulax is one of the dinoflagellates responsible for the occurrence of red tides.
What is the life cycle of trypanosoma?
The life cycle of trypanosomes includes a stage spent in blood or other tissues of a vertebrate host and a stage in the gut of an invertebrate, typically a fly. About 20 species of Trypanosoma are known, of which only two— T. cruzi and T.
What is the name of the fly that causes sleeping sickness?
), which occurs in equatorial Africa in two forms, both transmitted by the tse-tse fly ( Glossina ). East African, or Rhodesian, sleeping sickness is an acute form of the disease caused by the subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense.
What is the family of trypanosomes?
The genus Trypanosomabelongs to the family Trypanosomatidae, which is in the order Kinetoplastida. The life cycle of trypanosomes includes a stage spent in blood or other tissues of a vertebrate host and a stage in the gut of an invertebrate, typically a fly.
What is an encyclopedia editor?
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ...
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 the treatment for stage 1 melarsoprol?
Treatment. Stage I of the condition is usually treated with pentamidine or suramin through intramuscular injection or intravenous infusion if sufficient observation is possible. Stage II of the disease is typically treated with melarsoprol or eflornithine preferably introduced to the body intravenously.
What is trypanosomiasis in humans?
Trypanosomiasis or trypanosomosis is the name of several diseases in vertebrates caused by parasitic protozoan trypanosomes of the genus Trypanosoma. In humans this includes African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. A number of other diseases occur in other animals.
How can trypanosomiasis be prevented?
Trypanosomiasis could, in future be prevented by genetically altering the tsetse fly. As the tsetse fly is the main vector of transmission, making the fly immune to the disease by altering its genome could be the main component in an effort to eradicate the disease. New technologies such as CRISPR allowing cheaper and easier genetic engineering could allow for such measures. A pilot program in Senegal, funded by the International Atomic Energy Agency, has considerably reduced the tsetse fly population by introducing male flies which have been sterilized by exposure to gamma rays.
How to control trypanosomiasis?
The main approaches to controlling African trypanosomiasis are to reduce the reservoirs of infection and the presence of the tsetse fly. Screening of people at risk helps identify patients at an early stage. Diagnosis should be made as early as possible and before the advanced stage to avoid complicated, difficult and risky treatment procedures.
What happens if you bite a tsetse fly?
The tsetse fly bite erupts into a red chancre sore and within a few weeks, the person can experience fever, swollen lymph glands, blood in urine, aching muscles and joints, headaches and irritability. In the first phase, the patient has only intermittent bouts of fever with lymphadenopathy together with other non-specific signs and symptoms. The second stage of the disease is marked by involvement of the central nervous system with extensive neurological effects like changes in personality, alteration of the biological clock (the circadian rhythm), confusion, slurred speech, seizures and difficulty in walking and talking. These problems can develop over many years and if not treated, the person dies. It is common in Subsaharan Africa.
What are the diseases of camels?
Kaodzera (Rhodesian trypanosomiasis) Tahaga (a disease of camels in Algeria) Galziekte, galzietzke (bilious fever of cattle; gall sickness of South Africa) Peste-boba (of Venezuela; Derrengadera) Some species of cattle such as the African buffalo, N'dama, and Keteku appear trypanotolerant and do not develop symptoms.
What animals are trypanotolerant?
Nagana, or animal African trypanosomiasis, also called 'Souma' or 'Soumaya' in Sudan. Some species of cattle such as the African buffalo, N'dama, and Keteku appear trypanotolerant and do not develop symptoms. Calves are more resistant than adults.
What is the life cycle of a triatomine bug?
Life Cycle. An infected triatomine insect vector (or “kissing” bug) takes a blood meal and releases trypomastigotes in its feces near the site of the bite wound. Trypomastigotes enter the host through the bite wound or intact mucosal membranes, such as the conjunctiva . Inside the host, the trypomastigotes invade cells near the site of inoculation, ...
How is Trypanosoma cruzi transmitted?
Trypanosoma cruzi is transmitted by kissing bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). The most common genera responsible for transmission of the disease are Triatoma, Rhodnius, and Panstrongylus. Infection usually occurs after bugs defecate on the bite site and are rubbed into the wound by the host scratching.
What is the causative agent of Chagas disease?
Causal Agent. Trypanosoma cruzi, is a parasitic protozoan that is the causative agent of Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis). Currently, six distinct lineages of T. cruzi are classified into discrete typing units (TcI-VI), which vary in their geographic occurrence, host specificity, and pathogenicity.
How do amastigotes multiply?
The amastigotes multiply by binary fission and differentiate into trypomastigotes, and then are released into the circulation as bloodstream trypomastigotes . Trypomastigotes infect cells from a variety of tissues and transform into intracellular amastigotes in new infection sites.
How long are trypanosomes?
Trypanosomes measure from 12 to 30 µm in length. Trypomastigotes may be seen in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in central nervous system infections; also the amastigote stage parasite may be seen in histopathology specimens from affected organs.
What is the diagnosis of Chagas disease?
Molecular diagnosis of Chagas disease is performed for cases of suspected acute infection (including transfusion or transplant transmission), congenital Chagas disease, and for monitoring of suspected laboratory exposures. For chronic Chagas disease, serology is generally most appropriate, although molecular detection may be performed for re-activated cases associated with immunosuppression.
What is T cruzi stained with?
T. cruzi in thin blood smears stained with Giemsa.
What causes African sleeping sickness?
African sleeping sickness is caused by trypanosomes conveyed to humans by the bites of infected tsetse flies, and is unique to sub-saharan Africa. Two trypanosomes affect humans in Africa: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and T.rhodesiense.
What is the name of the infection that causes swelling of the brain?
Trypanosomiasis (African ) or sleeping sickness is an infection with organisms called trypanosomes conveyed to humans by the bites of infected tsetse files. It results in swelling of the brain. Submit a request for further information, a quotation or indicative cost.
How long does it take for a tsetse fly to swell?
A bite by a tsetse fly is painful and commonly becomes inflamed, but if trypanosomes are introduced, the site becomes painful and swollen about 10 days later (‘trypanosomal chancre’) and the regional lymph nodes enlarge. Within 2-3 weeks of infection the trypanosomes invade the blood stream.
What is the blood film that shows malaria?
Thick and thin blood films, stained as for the detection of malaria, will reveal trypanosomes. The trypanosomes may be seen in the blood or from puncture of the primary lesion in the earliest stages of infection, but it is usually easier to demonstrate them by puncture of a lymph node.
What are the most susceptible populations to tsetse flies?
Rural populations engaged in agriculture, fishing and animal husbandry are most susceptible. Local people and tourists visiting forests infested with tsetse flies and animal reservoirs may become infected.
How long does it take for a trypanosome to invade the bloodstream?
Within 2-3 weeks of infection the trypanosomes invade the blood stream. The disease is characterized by an early haematolymphatic stage and a late encephalitic stage in which the parasite crosses the blood-brain barrier and chronic encephalopathy develops leading to drowsiness during the day, but insomnia at night.
What are the complications of falling asleep while driving?
Complications. Complications include injury related to falling asleep while driving or performing other activities, and progressive damage to the nervous system. Submit a request for further information, a quotation or indicative cost. Your enquiry will be forwarded to up to 3 private healthcare providers.
What is the cause of T cruzi?
consumption of food or beverages contaminated with T. cruzi through, for example, contact with faeces or urine of infected triatomine bugs or marsupials (this kind of transmission typically causes outbreaks with more severe morbidity and higher mortality - infecting groups of people simultaneously with more frequent cases of severe disease and higher number of deaths);
Where did Chagas disease originate?
Chagas disease was once entirely confined to rural areas of the Region of the Americas – principally Latin America – but in the last decades, due to population movements, most infected people live in urban settings (urbanization) and the disease has spread to other continents (where T. cruzi is transmitted through non-vectorial routes).
What is Chagas disease?
Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a potentially life-threatening illness caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruz i. About 6 million to 7 million people worldwide are estimated to be infected with T. cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease. The disease is found mainly in endemic areas ...
What is Sleeping Sickness?
Sleeping disorder or African trypanosomiasis in people is a hazardous Sickness brought about by the related parasites Trypanosoma le seig ambience and Trypanosomal trypanosomiasis and sent by the Glossinidae family . Individuals in the beginning phases of African Sleeping ailment are regularly undiscovered. Without appropriate testing, parasites can cross the blood-cerebrum hindrance, attack the focal sensory system, and foster African Sleeping infection. At this stage, individuals foster neuropsychiatric indications like a Sleeping disorder, disarray, discomfort, and seizures. Sleeping ailment is generally lethal whenever left untreated.
What are the Impacts of African Sleeping Sickness?
The arsenic subordinate melarsoprol became known in 1949. It is not generally utilized for resting disorders in Gambience as it kills up to 5% of patients who get it , however it remains the main medication accessible for cutting edge Sleeping Sickness .
What Therapies are Experts Dealing With For Resting Affliction?
As well as fostering the principal oral medication for Sleeping disorder, they are dealing with another single-portion oral medication, acodibolol that might be fundamental for supported discharge.
How Would You Get African Sleeping Disorder?
Creepy crawly nibbles: Bites from tainted Glossinidae can contaminate parasites that cause Sleeping Sickness.
What causes sleep sickness?
Causes of Sleeping Sickness. Sleeping sickness is caused by two flagellate protozoan parasites: Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Among these two parasites, Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense causes a more severe form of illness. This disease isn’t contagious, it only spreads by the bite of an infected Tsetse fly.
How many species of Trypanosoma cause sleeping sickness?
There are twenty known species of Trypanosoma and only two species cause sleeping sickness in humans which are Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. Every known species is known for a different disease. This uses tsetse fly as a vector.
What is the disease of the Tsetse fly?
It is a biting arthropod which belongs to the Glossinidae family. Sleeping sickness causes parasites to feed on the blood of vertebrates.
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 Chagas disease?
Overview. Chagas (CHAH-gus) disease is an inflammatory, infectious disease caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. This parasite is found in the feces of the triatomine (reduviid) bug. This bug is also known as the "kissing bug.".
How to prevent Chagas disease?
Prevention. If you live in a high-risk area for Chagas disease, these steps can help you prevent infection: Avoid sleeping in a mud, thatch or adobe house. These types of residences are more likely to harbor triatomine bugs. Use insecticide-soaked netting over your bed when sleeping in thatch, mud or adobe houses.
What are the factors that increase the risk of Chagas disease?
The following factors may increase your risk of getting Chagas disease: Living in poor rural areas of Central America, South America and Mexico. Living in a residence that contains triatomine bugs. Receiving a blood transfusion or organ transplant from a person who carries the infection.
What happens if Chagas disease progresses to the long-lasting (chronic) phase?
If Chagas disease progresses to the long-lasting (chronic) phase, serious heart or digestive complications may occur. These may include:
How long does it take for Chagas disease to show symptoms?
Signs and symptoms of the chronic phase of Chagas disease may occur 10 to 20 years after initial infection, or they may never occur. In severe cases, Chagas disease signs and symptoms may include: Irregular heartbeat. Heart failure.
What are the symptoms of Chagas disease?
Loss of appetite. Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting. Swollen glands. Enlargement of your liver or spleen. Signs and symptoms that develop during the acute phase usually go away on their own. In some cases, if the infection isn't treated, Chagas disease will advance to the chronic phase.
How long does Chagas disease last?
The acute phase of Chagas disease, which lasts for weeks or months, is often symptom-free. When signs and symptoms do occur, they are usually mild and may include: Signs and symptoms that develop during the acute phase usually go away on their own.
Overview
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis
Prevention
Treatment
Trypanosomiasis or trypanosomosis is the name of several diseases in vertebrates caused by parasitic protozoan trypanosomes of the genus Trypanosoma. In humans this includes African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease. A number of other diseases occur in other animals.
African trypanosomiasis, which is caused by either Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, threatens some 65 million people in sub-Saharan Africa, espe…
Research
The tsetse fly bite erupts into a red chancre sore and within a few weeks, the person can experience fever, swollen lymph glands, blood in urine, aching muscles and joints, headaches and irritability. In the first phase, the patient has only intermittent bouts of fever with lymphadenopathy together with other non-specific signs and symptoms. The second stage of the disease is marked by involvement of the central nervous system with extensive neurological effects like changes i…
Other animals
Cattle may show enlarged lymph nodes and internal organs. Haemolytic anaemia is a characteristic sign. Systemic disease and reproductive wastage are common, and cattle appear to waste away.
Horses with dourine show signs of ventral and genital edema and urticaria.
Infected dogs and cats may show severe systemic signs.
Bibliography
The use of trypanotolerant breeds for livestock farming should be considered if the disease is widespread. Fly control is another option but is difficult to implement. The main approaches to controlling African trypanosomiasis are to reduce the reservoirs of infection and the presence of the tsetse fly. Screening of people at risk helps identify patients at an early stage. Diagnosis should be made as early as possible and before the advanced stage to avoid complicated, diffic…