Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is a parasitic protozoan of the genus Trypanosoma, specifically a subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei. It is the causative agent of human African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, a tropical disease prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa.
Trypanosoma brucei gambiense is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected tsetse flies (Glossina species). The parasite enters the bloodstream and invades various organs, including the lymphatic system, central nervous system, and brain, leading to the characteristic symptoms of sleeping sickness. These symptoms include fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle and joint aches, and later, sleep disturbances, neurological disorders, and mental deterioration if left untreated.
The lifecycle of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense involves two main stages: the bloodstream form and the extracellular form. In the bloodstream, the parasite replicates as long, slender trypomastigotes. These forms can evade the host's immune system by changing their antigenic properties, making them difficult to eliminate. Later, the parasites transform into short, stumpy forms, which are far less active and invade the host's central nervous system, resulting in the onset of neurological symptoms.
Diagnosis of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection is typically done through microscopic examination of blood or cerebrospinal fluid samples. Treatment usually involves administration of drugs such as pentamidine or suramin in early-stage infections, whereas advanced cases require more potent drugs, such as nifurtimox and eflornithine.
Efforts to control and eliminate Trypanosoma brucei gambiense focus primarily on vector control programs to
