TRYPANOSOMIASIS Meaning and
Definition
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Trypanosomiasis, also known as African sleeping sickness or Chagas disease depending on the type of parasite involved, is a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by various species of the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma. This tropical disease is primarily prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Latin America and is transmitted to humans and animals through the bites of infected tsetse flies or reduviid bugs.
Trypanosomiasis is characterized by two distinct forms: the Gambian or West African trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, and the Rhodesian or East African trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. Both forms typically involve an acute phase followed by a chronic stage if left untreated, which can lead to severe neurological manifestations and potentially fatal outcomes.
Symptoms of trypanosomiasis often include fever, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, and enlarged lymph nodes during the initial stage. As the infection progresses, individuals may experience behavioral changes, sleep disturbances, mental deterioration, tremors, and seizures. If the disease reaches the late stages, it can affect the cardiovascular and digestive systems, leading to heart problems and complications in digestion.
Controlling trypanosomiasis involves various strategies, including vector control to limit the spread of the parasites and early diagnosis and treatment to effectively manage the disease. Medications such as pentamidine and suramin are commonly used for the treatment of the Gambian form, while melarsoprol and eflornithine are more effective for treating the Rhodesian type. Emerging research on vaccines and novel drug therapies offers hope for the prevention and management of this disease in the future.
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Any disease caused by a trypanosome.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for TRYPANOSOMIASIS
- trypanosomuiases
- rrypanosomiasis
- frypanosomiasis
- grypanosomiasis
- yrypanosomiasis
- 6rypanosomiasis
- 5rypanosomiasis
- teypanosomiasis
- tdypanosomiasis
- tfypanosomiasis
- ttypanosomiasis
- t5ypanosomiasis
- t4ypanosomiasis
- trtpanosomiasis
- trgpanosomiasis
- trhpanosomiasis
- trupanosomiasis
- tr7panosomiasis
- tr6panosomiasis
- tryoanosomiasis
Etymology of TRYPANOSOMIASIS
The word "Trypanosomiasis" is derived from two main components: "trypano" and "soma".
1. Trypano: The term "trypano" comes from the Greek word "trypaō", meaning "to pierce" or "to bore". This Greek word is related to "trypanon", which refers to a sharp instrument or tool used for piercing. The name "trypanosome" was given to the parasite because of its characteristic shape, which resembles a needle or a piercing object.
2. Soma: "Soma" is also derived from Greek, meaning "body" or "living organism". This component indicates that "trypanosomiasis" is a disease caused by an organism that affects the body.
