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Which Trypanosoma subspecies cause African sleeping sickness?
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parasitic disease
Trypanosoma brucei in a blood smear (Giemsa-stained light photomicrograph).
African sleeping sickness, also known as African trypanosomiasis, is caused by two subspecies of the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. Both are transmitted to humans through the bite of the tsetse fly:12
- T. brucei rhodesiense: This subspecies causes East African (or Rhodesian) sleeping sickness, which is an acute, rapidly progressing form of the disease.12
- T. brucei gambiense: This subspecies causes West African (or Gambian) sleeping sickness, which is a slower-developing, chronic form of the disease.12
Both forms of the infection can eventually invade the central nervous system, leading to severe neurological symptoms, coma, and death if left untreated. Early diagnosis and medical intervention are essential for recovery, as the disease remains a significant public health concern in parts of equatorial Africa.12