Human trypanosomiasis: Difference between revisions
From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia
CSV import |
CSV import |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Human trypanosomiasis | |||
| image = [[File:Tropical_Diseases_-_Fig_48.png|250px]] | |||
| caption = Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of African trypanosomiasis | |||
| field = [[Infectious disease]] | |||
| synonyms = Sleeping sickness, Chagas disease | |||
| symptoms = Fever, headaches, joint pains, itching, confusion, poor coordination, numbness, trouble sleeping | |||
| complications = [[Neurological disorder]], [[cardiac complications]] | |||
| onset = Weeks to months after infection | |||
| duration = Chronic | |||
| causes = [[Trypanosoma brucei]], [[Trypanosoma cruzi]] | |||
| risks = Living in or traveling to endemic areas, exposure to [[tsetse fly]] bites | |||
| diagnosis = [[Blood smear]], [[serological tests]], [[lumbar puncture]] | |||
| differential = [[Malaria]], [[meningitis]], [[encephalitis]] | |||
| prevention = Avoiding tsetse fly bites, using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing | |||
| treatment = [[Antiparasitic drugs]], [[pentamidine]], [[nifurtimox]], [[eflornithine]] | |||
| prognosis = Variable, can be fatal if untreated | |||
| frequency = Approximately 10,000 new cases per year | |||
| deaths = Estimated 3,500 deaths annually | |||
}} | |||
{{Short description|Parasitic disease caused by trypanosomes}} | {{Short description|Parasitic disease caused by trypanosomes}} | ||
'''Human trypanosomiasis''', also known as '''sleeping sickness''', is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus ''[[Trypanosoma]]''. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected [[tsetse fly]] (''Glossina'' species), which is found only in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, putting millions of people at risk. | '''Human trypanosomiasis''', also known as '''sleeping sickness''', is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus ''[[Trypanosoma]]''. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected [[tsetse fly]] (''Glossina'' species), which is found only in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, putting millions of people at risk. | ||
==Types== | ==Types== | ||
There are two main forms of human trypanosomiasis: | There are two main forms of human trypanosomiasis: | ||
* '''[[Trypanosoma brucei gambiense]]''' (T.b. gambiense) causes the chronic form of the disease, which is prevalent in West and Central Africa. This form accounts for over 98% of reported cases of sleeping sickness. | * '''[[Trypanosoma brucei gambiense]]''' (T.b. gambiense) causes the chronic form of the disease, which is prevalent in West and Central Africa. This form accounts for over 98% of reported cases of sleeping sickness. | ||
* '''[[Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense]]''' (T.b. rhodesiense) causes the acute form of the disease, which is found in Eastern and Southern Africa. | * '''[[Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense]]''' (T.b. rhodesiense) causes the acute form of the disease, which is found in Eastern and Southern Africa. | ||
==Transmission== | ==Transmission== | ||
[[File:Tropical_Diseases_-_Fig_48.png|Tsetse fly, the vector of trypanosomiasis|thumb | [[File:Tropical_Diseases_-_Fig_48.png|Tsetse fly, the vector of trypanosomiasis|left|thumb]] | ||
The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tsetse fly. The fly becomes infected after feeding on an infected human or animal. The parasites multiply in the fly and are transmitted to another host when the fly bites again. | The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tsetse fly. The fly becomes infected after feeding on an infected human or animal. The parasites multiply in the fly and are transmitted to another host when the fly bites again. | ||
==Symptoms== | ==Symptoms== | ||
The symptoms of human trypanosomiasis vary depending on the stage of the disease: | The symptoms of human trypanosomiasis vary depending on the stage of the disease: | ||
===First Stage=== | ===First Stage=== | ||
In the first stage, known as the hemolymphatic phase, symptoms include: | In the first stage, known as the hemolymphatic phase, symptoms include: | ||
| Line 23: | Line 38: | ||
* Joint pains | * Joint pains | ||
* Itching | * Itching | ||
===Second Stage=== | ===Second Stage=== | ||
In the second stage, known as the neurological phase, the parasites cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the central nervous system. Symptoms include: | In the second stage, known as the neurological phase, the parasites cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the central nervous system. Symptoms include: | ||
| Line 30: | Line 44: | ||
* Poor coordination | * Poor coordination | ||
* Sleep cycle disturbances, which give the disease its name "sleeping sickness" | * Sleep cycle disturbances, which give the disease its name "sleeping sickness" | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of human trypanosomiasis involves: | Diagnosis of human trypanosomiasis involves: | ||
| Line 36: | Line 49: | ||
* Serological tests to detect antibodies | * Serological tests to detect antibodies | ||
* Microscopic examination of blood, lymph node aspirates, or cerebrospinal fluid to identify the parasites | * Microscopic examination of blood, lymph node aspirates, or cerebrospinal fluid to identify the parasites | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease: | Treatment depends on the stage of the disease: | ||
* In the first stage, treatment involves the use of pentamidine for T.b. gambiense and suramin for T.b. rhodesiense. | * In the first stage, treatment involves the use of pentamidine for T.b. gambiense and suramin for T.b. rhodesiense. | ||
* In the second stage, treatment involves the use of more toxic drugs such as melarsoprol or eflornithine. | * In the second stage, treatment involves the use of more toxic drugs such as melarsoprol or eflornithine. | ||
==Prevention== | ==Prevention== | ||
Preventive measures include: | Preventive measures include: | ||
| Line 47: | Line 58: | ||
* Clearing vegetation around human settlements to reduce tsetse fly habitats | * Clearing vegetation around human settlements to reduce tsetse fly habitats | ||
* Using insecticide-treated nets and screens | * Using insecticide-treated nets and screens | ||
==Epidemiology== | ==Epidemiology== | ||
Human trypanosomiasis is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease primarily affects rural populations who depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting. | Human trypanosomiasis is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease primarily affects rural populations who depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting. | ||
==See also== | |||
== | |||
* [[Trypanosomiasis]] | * [[Trypanosomiasis]] | ||
* [[Tsetse fly]] | * [[Tsetse fly]] | ||
* [[Protozoan infections]] | * [[Protozoan infections]] | ||
[[Category:Parasitic diseases]] | [[Category:Parasitic diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Neglected tropical diseases]] | [[Category:Neglected tropical diseases]] | ||
[[Category:Protozoal diseases]] | [[Category:Protozoal diseases]] | ||
Revision as of 04:38, 7 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC
| Human trypanosomiasis | |
|---|---|
| |
| Synonyms | Sleeping sickness, Chagas disease |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Fever, headaches, joint pains, itching, confusion, poor coordination, numbness, trouble sleeping |
| Complications | Neurological disorder, cardiac complications |
| Onset | Weeks to months after infection |
| Duration | Chronic |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Trypanosoma brucei, Trypanosoma cruzi |
| Risks | Living in or traveling to endemic areas, exposure to tsetse fly bites |
| Diagnosis | Blood smear, serological tests, lumbar puncture |
| Differential diagnosis | Malaria, meningitis, encephalitis |
| Prevention | Avoiding tsetse fly bites, using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing |
| Treatment | Antiparasitic drugs, pentamidine, nifurtimox, eflornithine |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Variable, can be fatal if untreated |
| Frequency | Approximately 10,000 new cases per year |
| Deaths | Estimated 3,500 deaths annually |
Parasitic disease caused by trypanosomes
Human trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Trypanosoma. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tsetse fly (Glossina species), which is found only in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, putting millions of people at risk.
Types
There are two main forms of human trypanosomiasis:
- Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (T.b. gambiense) causes the chronic form of the disease, which is prevalent in West and Central Africa. This form accounts for over 98% of reported cases of sleeping sickness.
- Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (T.b. rhodesiense) causes the acute form of the disease, which is found in Eastern and Southern Africa.
Transmission
The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected tsetse fly. The fly becomes infected after feeding on an infected human or animal. The parasites multiply in the fly and are transmitted to another host when the fly bites again.
Symptoms
The symptoms of human trypanosomiasis vary depending on the stage of the disease:
First Stage
In the first stage, known as the hemolymphatic phase, symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headaches
- Joint pains
- Itching
Second Stage
In the second stage, known as the neurological phase, the parasites cross the blood-brain barrier and infect the central nervous system. Symptoms include:
- Confusion
- Sensory disturbances
- Poor coordination
- Sleep cycle disturbances, which give the disease its name "sleeping sickness"
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of human trypanosomiasis involves:
- Clinical assessment of symptoms
- Serological tests to detect antibodies
- Microscopic examination of blood, lymph node aspirates, or cerebrospinal fluid to identify the parasites
Treatment
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease:
- In the first stage, treatment involves the use of pentamidine for T.b. gambiense and suramin for T.b. rhodesiense.
- In the second stage, treatment involves the use of more toxic drugs such as melarsoprol or eflornithine.
Prevention
Preventive measures include:
- Reducing contact with tsetse flies by wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent
- Clearing vegetation around human settlements to reduce tsetse fly habitats
- Using insecticide-treated nets and screens
Epidemiology
Human trypanosomiasis is endemic in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The disease primarily affects rural populations who depend on agriculture, fishing, animal husbandry, or hunting.
