Why is African sleeping sickness called that?
They are named for the areas of Africa where they are found. West African sleeping sickness is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. This long-term (chronic) infection can last for years.
What is the medical term for sleeping sickness?
Sleeping sickness, also called African trypanosomiasis, disease caused by infection with the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or the closely related subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense, transmitted by the tsetse fly (genus Glossina). Sleeping sickness is characterized by two stages of illness.
Who discovered the African sleeping sickness?
Sleeping sickness was first reported in German East Africa in 1902. The following year the German Colonial Office took an interest in the matter and prepared to send an expedition [11], [22], [39]–. Robert Koch, one of the most famous scientists of his time, led the mission to East Africa in 1906.
What diseases are caused by trypanosomes?
Trypanosomes infect a variety of hosts and cause various diseases, including the fatal human diseases sleeping sickness, caused by Trypanosoma brucei, and Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi.
When did African sleeping sickness originate?
Epidemics and control of the disease. In the 20th century, Africa saw three severe sleeping sickness epidemics. The first one began in 1896 and lasted until 1906, and affected mainly Uganda and Congo [3].
Who is responsible for sleeping sickness in Africa?
…responsible for African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness (q.v.), which occurs in equatorial Africa in two forms, both transmitted by the tse-tse fly (Glossina). East African, or Rhodesian, sleeping sickness is an acute form of the disease caused by the subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense.
What’s the name of the disease that causes sleeping sickness?
Sleeping sickness. Written By: Sleeping sickness, also called African trypanosomiasis, disease caused by infection with the flagellate protozoan Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or the closely related subspecies T. brucei rhodesiense, transmitted by the tsetse fly (genus Glossina).
What kind of disease does African trypanosomiasis cause?
African trypanosomiasis. African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is an insect-borne parasitic disease of humans and other animals. It is caused by protozoa of the species Trypanosoma brucei. Humans are infected by two types, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (TbG) and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (TbR).
What kind of disease is found in Africa?
Two morphologically indistinguishable subspecies of the parasite cause distinct disease patterns in humans: T. b. gambiense causes a slowly progressing African trypanosomiasis in western and central Africa and T. b. rhodesiense causes a more acute African trypanosomiasis in eastern and southern Africa.
What is the cause of African sleeping sickness?
Tsetse fly. African sleeping sickness also called African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease of humans and many other animals, African sleeping sickness is caused by an insect thus making it an insect borne illness which is caused by a tsetse fly carrying the African trypanosomiasis parasites.
What are facts about the African sleeping sickness?
(Definition/Background Information) Sleeping Sickness (or African Trypanosomiasis) is a disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei. After being bitten by the fly, individuals develop a red sore. The African Sleeping Sickness is treated using medications; however, periodic follow-up checks are necessary to ensure a complete cure With prompt diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis is good.
What is the life cycle of African sleeping sickness?
African sleeping sickness has two life cycles: a stage in humans and a stage in tsetse flies. A human becomes infected when a tsetse fly takes a blood meal and injects metacyclic trypomastigotes (the parasites) into the skin, where they then go into the lymphatic system and finally pass into the blood stream.
What is the treatment for African sleeping sickness?
Suramin is a drug commonly used in the treatment of African sleeping sickness and onchocerciasis, also known as river blindness. It is an odorless, tasteless, white powder which is dissolved in saline and administered intravenously.