Sleeping Sickness
Sleeping sickness, also known as African trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic disease. It is caused by infection with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma. They are specifically Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b.g.) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (T.b.r.). T.b.g. causes over 98% of reported cases. Humans are the main reservoir for this subspecies.
Transmission[edit | edit source]
Sleeping sickness is transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly. The flies are generally found in rural areas, and they are most active in the warmer hours of the day. The disease is not directly transmitted from person to person, except for mother-to-child infection during pregnancy or childbirth, and through laboratory accidents or possibly sexual contact.
Symptoms[edit | edit source]
The disease has two stages. The first, or hemolymphatic phase, entails bouts of fever, headaches, joint pains and itching. In the second stage, the parasites cross the blood-brain barrier to infect the central nervous system. This is evidenced by changes to the infected person's personality, alteration of the biological clock (the circadian rhythm), confusion, slurred speech, seizures, and difficulty walking and talking. These symptoms can be observed in advanced stage of the disease, called the neurological or meningoencephalic stage.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of the disease can be made by microscopic examination of blood, lymph, bone marrow, or, in the late stages of infection, cerebrospinal fluid. Tests using antibodies are available to diagnose the disease in the hemolymphatic stage.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
The treatment for sleeping sickness is dependent on the species of Trypanosoma involved and the stage of the disease. Medication used in the treatment includes Suramin, Pentamidine, Melarsoprol, and Eflornithine.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
Prevention of sleeping sickness primarily involves controlling the tsetse fly population. This can be done through the use of insecticides, traps, and screens.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Sleeping Sickness Resources | |
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