African Trypanosomiasis and its effect on the Central Nervous System.

Introduction

Magnified 20,000X, this colorized scanning electron micrograph (SEM) depicts a grouping of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. See PHIL 617 for a black and white view of this image. Phoro credit: CDC.

By Maeve McLaughlin

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) also known as African Sleeping Sickness is directly correlated to the microscopic parasitic species known as Trypanosoma brucei. There are many species of trypanosomes but only 2 are found to infect humans, those being T.b gambiense and T.b rhodesiense. Its transmission occurs through the tsetse fly, only found in Sub-Saharan Africa hence the name of the sickness. A bite of the infected species enters the human bloodstream, allowing the parasite to colonize up through the lymph nodes. Once infected, the spread of the disease easily develops into the central nervous system which could affect anything connected to the brain or spinal cord. Once the blood-brain barrier is crossed into the CNS hosts may experience differences in circadian rhythm, insomnia, drowsiness throughout the day, and eventually potential death if left untreated. Those in late stages of the disease experience the most problems related to sleep with others facing psychological symptoms such as dementia, depression, mania, irritability, or memory loss.

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Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski,at Kenyon College,2024