Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense
Quick Summary
Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is a flagellated protozoan parasite that causes African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. This disease is transmitted by the tsetse fly.1
Symptoms and Progression
The initial stage of infection typically involves fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes. In the later stage, the parasite invades the brain and spinal cord, leading to personality changes, sleep disturbances, and profound lethargy, which can be fatal if untreated. The East African (Rhodesian) form, caused by T. brucei rhodesiense, progresses more rapidly than the West African (Gambian) form.12
Geographic Distribution and Treatment
Cases caused by T. brucei rhodesiense are primarily found in the highlands of central, eastern, and southern Africa. Early stages of this form of sleeping sickness can be treated with suramin. However, treatment is ineffective once the disease reaches its most severe, toxemic stage.13
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sleeping sickness… or the closely related subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense, transmitted by the tsetse fly (genus Glossina). Sleeping sickness is characterized by two stages of illness. In the first stage, infected persons typically experience fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and inflammation of the lymph nodes
Read More… or the closely related subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense, transmitted by the tsetse fly (genus Glossina). Sleeping sickness is characterized by two stages of illness. In the first stage, infected persons typically experience fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, and inflammation of the lymph nodes
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trypanosomiasis…disease caused by the subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense. West African, or Gambian, trypanosomiasis is a slower-developing chronic form of the disease caused by T. brucei gambiense. Both organisms can eventually invade the brain, causing mental deterioration, coma, and death.
Read More…disease caused by the subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense. West African, or Gambian, trypanosomiasis is a slower-developing chronic form of the disease caused by T. brucei gambiense. Both organisms can eventually invade the brain, causing mental deterioration, coma, and death.
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