Aldo Castellani

Aldo Castellani 1934

Aldo Castellani (8 September 1874 – 3 October 1971) was an Italian pathologist and bacteriologist known for his significant contributions to tropical medicine. He is particularly noted for his discovery of the causative agent of sleeping sickness.

Early Life and Education

Aldo Castellani was born in Florence, Italy. He studied medicine at the University of Florence, where he developed an interest in bacteriology and pathology. After completing his medical degree, he continued his studies in Germany and England, working with prominent scientists in the field.

Career and Discoveries

In 1902, Castellani joined the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and was sent to Uganda to investigate an outbreak of sleeping sickness. During his research, he discovered the presence of the Trypanosoma brucei parasite in the cerebrospinal fluid of infected patients, identifying it as the causative agent of the disease. This discovery was a significant milestone in the field of tropical medicine.

Castellani also made important contributions to the understanding and treatment of other tropical diseases, including leprosy, yaws, and mycetoma. He developed several diagnostic techniques and treatments that have had a lasting impact on the field.

Later Life and Legacy

After his work in Uganda, Castellani held various academic and research positions, including a professorship at the University of Naples Federico II. He continued to work on tropical diseases and published numerous scientific papers throughout his career.

Castellani's contributions to medicine were recognized with several honors and awards. He was a member of various scientific societies and received honorary degrees from multiple universities.

Related Pages

• Tropical medicine
• Sleeping sickness
• Trypanosoma brucei
• Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
• University of Florence
• University of Naples Federico II