African trypanosomiasis: Difference between revisions

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'''African trypanosomiasis''' or '''Sleeping Sickness''' is a neurological disease caused by a parasite transmitted by the tsetse fly, and is only found in Sub-Saharan Africa.<ref name="cdc">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sleepingsickness/index.html|title=African Trypanosomiasis|last=Centers for Disease Control|first=|authorlink=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|last2=|first2=|authorlink2=|date=2020-03-09|website=www.cdc.gov|language=en-us|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2020-09-26}}</ref> African trypanosomiasis is caused by the ''trypanosoma brucei'' parasite, and control effects reduced cases to around 2,000 per year by 2019.<ref name="cdc" />
'''African trypanosomiasis''' or '''Human African trypanosomiasis''' or '''HAT''' or '''Sleeping Sickness''' is a neurological disease caused by a parasite transmitted by the tsetse fly, and is only found in Sub-Saharan Africa.<ref name="cdc">{{Cite web | url = https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sleepingsickness/index.html | title = African Trypanosomiasis | last = Centers for Disease Control | first = | author-link = Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | date = 2020-03-09 | website = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]]|language=en-us|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= | access-date = 2020-09-26}}</ref> African trypanosomiasis is caused by the ''trypanosoma brucei'' parasite, and control effects reduced cases to around 2,000 per year by 2019.<ref name="cdc" /> A related parasite causes '''American trypanosomiasis''', alternatively known as [[Chagas disease]].<ref name="drugscom">{{Cite web | url = https://www.drugs.com/condition/trypanosomiasis.html | title = List of 8 Trypanosomiasis Medications Compared | website = Drugs.com|language=en | access-date = 2022-01-05}}</ref>
 
The most common form of African trypanosomia may not have major symptoms for many months or years, but symptoms emerge once the disease is advanced and cause [[central nervous system]] signs and symptoms.<ref name="WHO">{{Cite web | url = https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trypanosomiasis-human-african-(sleeping-sickness) | title = Trypanosomiasis, human African (sleeping sickness) | last = World Health Organization | first = | author-link = World Health Organization | date = | website = |language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= | access-date = 2022-01-05}}</ref>


==Signs and symptoms ==
==Signs and symptoms ==
African trypanosomiasis is fatal without treatment.<ref name="cdc" />
African trypanosomiasis is fatal without treatment.<ref name="cdc" />
===First stage==
The trypanosomes (parasites) multiply in subcutaneous tissues, blood and lymph. Symptoms include:
* bouts of [[fever]]
* [[headache]]s
* [[swollen lymph node]]s
* [[joint pain]]
* [[skin itch|itching]]<ref name="WHO" />
===Second stage==
The parasites cross the [[blood-brain barrier]] (BBB) and infect the central nervous system, this is known as the ''neurological'' or ''meningo-encephalic'' stage.
Symptoms become more obvious:
* [[Behavior changes|changes in behavior]]
* [[confusion]]
* [[:Category:Sensitivity signs and symptoms|sensory disturbances]]
* [[poor coordination]]
* [[Sleep dysfunction|disturbed sleep cycle]]
* Fatal if left untreated<ref name="WHO" />


==Treatment ==
==Treatment ==
There are two forms of African trypanosomiasis, and treatment depends on which form is presented. Drugs used for African trypanosomiasis are:
*[[Pentamidine]], an antifungal medication also used for pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia; this drug is available in the United States.<ref name="pentamidine">{{Cite web | url = https://www.drugs.com/mtm/pentamidine.html | title = Pentamidine Uses, Side Effects & Warnings | website = Drugs.com|language=en | access-date = 2022-01-05}}</ref> Brand names include Nebupent and Pentam
*[[Fexinidazole]]
*[[Eflornithine]]
*[[Melarsoprol]]
*[[Nifurtimox]], which may be used together with eflornithine and is sold under the brand name Lampit.
*[[Suramin]]<ref name="cdc" /><ref name="drugscom" />
==Suramin==
Suramin is not available commercially, but has been identified as a potential medication to treat ME/CFS by research at the [[Open Medicine Foundation]].<ref name="omf2017" />


==ME/CFS==
==ME/CFS==
African trypanosomiasis is not known to occur with or be linked to the development of [[ME/CFS]].
African trypanosomiasis is not known to occur with or be linked to the development of [[ME/CFS]].<ref name="omf2017">{{Cite web | url = https://www.omf.ngo/2017/09/05/deep-dive/ | title = Deep Dive Into The Science On ME | last = Open Medicine Foundation | first = | author-link = Open Medicine Foundation | date = 2017-09-05 | website = Open Medicine Foundation|language=en-US|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status= | access-date = 2019-04-30}}</ref>


==See also ==
==See also ==
 
*[[Suramin]]
*[[Central nervous system]]


==Learn more ==
==Learn more ==
*[https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sleepingsickness/index.html African trypanosomiasis] - CDC  
*[https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/sleepingsickness/index.html African trypanosomiasis] - CDC
*[https://www.omf.ngo/2017/09/05/deep-dive/ Deep Dive Into The Science On ME] - Open Medicine Foundation
*[https://www.drugs.com/condition/trypanosomiasis.html Trypanosomiasis] - drugs.com
*[https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/trypanosomiasis-human-african-(sleeping-sickness) Trypanosomiasis, human African (sleeping sickness)] - World Health Organization


==References ==
==References ==
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[[Category:Diagnoses]]
[[Category:Diagnoses]]
[[Category:Neurological diseases and disorders]]
[[Category:Neurological diseases and disorders]]
[[Category:Infectious diseases]]
[[Category:Bacterial diseases]]

Latest revision as of 14:56, April 1, 2023

African trypanosomiasis or Human African trypanosomiasis or HAT or Sleeping Sickness is a neurological disease caused by a parasite transmitted by the tsetse fly, and is only found in Sub-Saharan Africa.[1] African trypanosomiasis is caused by the trypanosoma brucei parasite, and control effects reduced cases to around 2,000 per year by 2019.[1] A related parasite causes American trypanosomiasis, alternatively known as Chagas disease.[2]

The most common form of African trypanosomia may not have major symptoms for many months or years, but symptoms emerge once the disease is advanced and cause central nervous system signs and symptoms.[3]

Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]

African trypanosomiasis is fatal without treatment.[1]

=First stage[edit | edit source]

The trypanosomes (parasites) multiply in subcutaneous tissues, blood and lymph. Symptoms include:

=Second stage[edit | edit source]

The parasites cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and infect the central nervous system, this is known as the neurological or meningo-encephalic stage.

Symptoms become more obvious:

Treatment[edit | edit source]

There are two forms of African trypanosomiasis, and treatment depends on which form is presented. Drugs used for African trypanosomiasis are:

Suramin[edit | edit source]

Suramin is not available commercially, but has been identified as a potential medication to treat ME/CFS by research at the Open Medicine Foundation.[5]

ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

African trypanosomiasis is not known to occur with or be linked to the development of ME/CFS.[5]

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Centers for Disease Control (March 9, 2020). "African Trypanosomiasis". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved September 26, 2020.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "List of 8 Trypanosomiasis Medications Compared". Drugs.com. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 World Health Organization. "Trypanosomiasis, human African (sleeping sickness)". Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Pentamidine Uses, Side Effects & Warnings". Drugs.com. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Open Medicine Foundation (September 5, 2017). "Deep Dive Into The Science On ME". Open Medicine Foundation. Retrieved April 30, 2019.

subcutaneous "being, living, occurring, or administered under the skin"

central nervous system (CNS) - One of the two parts of the human nervous system, the other part being the peripheral nervous system. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, while the peripheral nervous system consists of nerves that travel from the central nervous system into the various organs and tissues of the body.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a U.S. government agency dedicated to epidemiology and public health. It operates under the auspices of the Department of Health and Human Services.

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