Trypanosoma brucei gambiense/rhodesiense

MICROBIOLOGY

  • Protozoan hemoflagellate, agent of human African sleeping sickness.
  • Trypanosoma brucei complex of which two subspecies exist:
    • T. b. gambiense causes West African sleeping sickness
    • T. b. rhodesiense causes East African sleeping sickness
  • Trypanosomes, zoonotic infection of cattle and other animals, transmitted by the painful bite of TseTse fly (Fig 1, not preventable with DEET) usually in rural African locales.
    • Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (g-HAT): humans only known significant reservoir, hence efforts for eradication.
      • Other modes of transmission possible: but probably rare, vertical (mother → child), sexual contact, laboratory-related, blood transfusion, organ transplantation.
    • Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (t-HAT): domesticated and wild animals may be reservoirs.

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Last updated: October 18, 2022