African trypanosomiasis

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African trypanosomiasis is an insect-borne parasitic infection of humans and other animals caused by the protozoan species Trypanosoma brucei, which is transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly. Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is also known as sleeping sickness. Humans are infected by two subspecies of T. brucei: T. brucei gambiense is primarily transmitted between humans and causes over 92% of cases, while T. brucei rhodesiense is zoonotic, with animals such as cattle serving as reservoirs. During the first stage of the disease, T. brucei parasites replicate in the blood and lymph, causing fever, headache, itchiness, and joint pains about one to three weeks after the bite. Weeks to months later, the parasite crosses the blood–brain barrier and the second stage begins with neurological symptoms including confusion, poor coordination, numbness, and trouble sleeping. Without treatment, African trypanosomiasis almost always results in death. Diagnosis involves detecting the parasite...

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