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 cause zoonotic infections in cattle and other animals, transmitted by the painful bite of the tsetse fly (Glossina morsitans; Fig. 1), which is not preventable with DEET, typically in rural areas of Africa.
- Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (g-HAT): humans are the only known significant reservoir; hence, efforts are focused on eradication.
- Other modes of transmission are possible, but probably rare: vertical (mother → child), sexual contact, laboratory-related, blood transfusion, and organ transplantation.
- Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (r-HAT): domesticated and wild animals may be reservoirs.
- Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (g-HAT): humans are the only known significant reservoir; hence, efforts are focused on eradication.
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Last updated: June 12, 2025
Citation
Auwaerter, Paul G. "Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense/rhodesiense." Johns Hopkins ABX Guide, The Johns Hopkins University, 2025. Pediatrics Central, peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540011/all/Trypanosoma_brucei_gambiense_rhodesiense.
Auwaerter PG. Trypanosoma brucei gambiense/rhodesiense. Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540011/all/Trypanosoma_brucei_gambiense_rhodesiense. Accessed July 27, 2025.
Auwaerter, P. G. (2025). Trypanosoma brucei gambiense/rhodesiense. In Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University. https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540011/all/Trypanosoma_brucei_gambiense_rhodesiense
Auwaerter PG. Trypanosoma Brucei Gambiense/rhodesiense [Internet]. In: Johns Hopkins ABX Guide. The Johns Hopkins University; 2025. [cited 2025 July 27]. Available from: https://peds.unboundmedicine.com/pedscentral/view/Johns_Hopkins_ABX_Guide/540011/all/Trypanosoma_brucei_gambiense_rhodesiense.
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