African Trypanosomiasis: a parasitic disease of the CNS: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:31, 13 April 2024

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) informally known as African Sleeping Sickness is an infection directly linked to a microscopic parasitic species known as Trypanosoma brucei. T. brucei are members of the Trypanosoma genus as well as the Trypanosomatidae family of unicellular parasites [3]. HAT is an extremely rare disease in the United States with fewer than 1,000 cases per year, but has a history of epidemics in Sub-Saharan regions of Africa [1]. There are a number of species of trypanosomes but only 2 have been known to infect humans, those being T.b gambiense and T.b rhodesiense [1].

Its transmission occurs through the tsetse fly, a member of the Glossina genus, only found in regions of Sub-Saharan Africa [1]. A bite from the infected species enters the human bloodstream, allowing the parasite to colonize areas up through the lymph nodes. Once infected, the spread of the disease easily develops into the central nervous system working its way to the brain. There are two main stages early and late, the late stage results in neurological defects. Early symptoms commonly consist of headache, fever, rash, or drowsiness [1].

Infected hosts may experience differences in circadian rhythm, insomnia, drowsiness throughout the day, and eventually potential death if left untreated [1]. Those in late stages of the disease experience disturbances in their circadian rhythm, insomnia, or other psychological symptoms such as dementia, depression, mania, irritability, or memory loss [1]. If left untreated, almost all patients are left in a coma, often resulting in death.

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Trypanosoma Brucei

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Epidemiology

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Symptoms

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Pathogenesis

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Impact on the Central Nervous System

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Diagnosis & Treatment

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Immune Response

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

[aa-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Hodgkin, J. and Partridge, F.A. "Caenorhabditis elegans meets microsporidia: the nematode killers from Paris." 2008. PLoS Biology 6:2634-2637.

[2] Bartlett et al.: Oncolytic viruses as therapeutic cancer vaccines. Molecular Cancer 2013 12:103.

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 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.
+Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT) informally known as African Sleeping Sickness is an infection directly linked to a microscopic parasitic species known as <i>Trypanosoma</i> brucei. <i>T. brucei</i> are members of the <i>Trypanosoma</i> genus as well as the Trypanosomatidae family of unicellular parasites [3]. HAT is an extremely rare disease in the United States with fewer than 1,000 cases per year, but has a history of epidemics in Sub-Saharan regions of Africa [1]. There are a number of species of trypanosomes but only 2 have been known to infect humans, those being <i>T.b gambiense</i> and <i>T.b rhodesiense</i> [1].
+Its transmission occurs through the tsetse fly, a member of the <i>Glossina</i> genus, only found in regions of Sub-Saharan Africa [1]. A bite from the infected species enters the human bloodstream, allowing the parasite to colonize areas up through the lymph nodes. Once infected, the spread of the disease easily develops into the central nervous system working its way to the brain. There are two main stages early and late, the late stage results in neurological defects. Early symptoms commonly consist of headache, fever, rash, or drowsiness [1].
+Infected hosts may experience differences in circadian rhythm, insomnia, drowsiness throughout the day, and eventually potential death if left untreated [1]. Those in late stages of the disease experience disturbances in their circadian rhythm, insomnia, or other psychological symptoms such as dementia, depression, mania, irritability, or memory loss [1]. If left untreated, almost all patients are left in a coma, often resulting in death.