Ifeatu's Page

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Introduction

Trypanosoma forming in a blood smear from a patient with African trypanosomiasis. By Dr. Myron G. Schultz, then at the [https://phil.cdc.gov/details.aspx?pid=613


By Ifeatu Menakaya


The topic of my paper is Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (or T.b. gambiense), a subspecies of the genus Trypanosoma, in the subgenus trypanozoon. T.b. gambiense is a parasitic kinetoplastid carried by Glossina, more commonly known as the Tsetse fly, native only to certain parts of rural sub-saharan Africa. However, T.b. gambiense is most commonly found in West and Central Africa, while a similar subspecies of the genus T.b. rhodesiense is present in Eastern Africa.

Distribution of T.b. gambiense and T.b. rhodesiense in sub-saharan Africa. [https://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/CSR_ISR_2000_1tryps/en/


This microbe is most notable for causing the feared West African trypanosomiasis. In the first stage (1-3 weeks of being infected) of West African Trypanosomiasis, the infected bite area develops into a sore or chancre. After the course of several weeks, other symptoms such as fever, rash, swelling of the face and hands, headaches, fatigue, aching muscles and joints, itching skin, and swollen lymph nodes. Furthermore, weight loss and the disruption of neurological functions occur, as the disease attacks the central nervous system. Most notably of all of these is the disease's calling card, daytime sleepiness with nighttime sleep disturbances. These symptoms continue to progress and without treatment, will ultimately end in death.[1]

What is your research question? The topic of my research is to highlight newly developed methods of treatment and prevention.

Transmission

Tsetse fly. From: britannica.com [1]


Both T.b. gambiense and T.b. rhodesiense are known to follow the same life cycle. First the Tsetse fly injects the metacyclic trypomastigotes into the skin. Next, the parasite enters the lymphatic system and enter the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, they become trypomastigotes and are carried through the bloodstream to other bodily fluids and continue to replicate. The tsetse fly once again becomes infected with trypomastigotes after feeding on this mammalian host. Inside the midgut of the tsetse fly, the trypomastigotes return to their procyclic form, then multiply once again by binary fission.[2]


The lifecycle of African Trypanosomiasis. [2]

Prevention

Due to the prevalence of this disease, over time many methods have been developed to fight against it. An early method is to destroy the bush where tsetse flies are known to inhabit.

Treatment


Include some current research, with at least one figure showing data.


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Conclusion

References



Authored for BIOL 238 Microbiology, taught by Joan Slonczewski, 2018, Kenyon College.