Trypanosoma brucei: Difference between revisions

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 ''Trypanosoma brucei'' is a parasitic protozoan responsible for African trypanosomiasis or African sleeping sickness, as it is commonly known. This name is given after the abnormal fatigue that patients exhibit as ''T. brucei'' invades their central nervous system (MURRAY, 2005).  
''Trypanosoma brucei'' is a parasitic protozoan responsible for [[African trypanosomiasis|African trypanosomiasis]] or [[African sleeping sickness|African sleeping sickness]], as it is commonly known. This name is given after the abnormal fatigue that patients exhibit as ''T. brucei'' invades their central nervous system <ref>MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.</ref>.<br>  
 
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= Symptoms  =
= Symptoms  =


&nbsp;Usually&nbsp;Winterbottom’s sign is the first symptom of&nbsp;African trypanosomiasis&nbsp;(MURRAY, 2005). It consists of swelling of the lymph nodes located on the back of the neck (posterior cervical lymphadenopathy)&nbsp;(MURRAY, 2005). This is usually followed by fever, myalgia and joint pain (arthralgia). On later stages of the disease ''T. brucei''&nbsp;infects the CNS which leads to lethargy, coma and eventually death&nbsp;(MURRAY, 2005).  
Usually&nbsp;Winterbottom’s sign is the first symptom of&nbsp;African trypanosomiasis&nbsp;<ref>MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.</ref>. It consists of swelling of the lymph nodes located on the back of the neck (posterior cervical lymphadenopathy)&nbsp;(MURRAY, 2005). This is usually followed by fever, myalgia and joint pain (arthralgia). On later stages of the disease ''T. brucei''&nbsp;infects the CNS which leads to lethargy, coma and eventually death&nbsp;<ref>MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.</ref>.  


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&nbsp;The treatment chosen depends on a few factors such as, the stage the disease is in and the diseases progression.  
&nbsp;The treatment chosen depends on a few factors such as, the stage the disease is in and the diseases progression.  


Suramin is usually used in the first stages of trypanosomiasis (MURRAY, 2005). This intravenous drug forms a complex with host plasma proteins which, when inside the parasite, inhibits its enzymes leading to a gradual deterioration of the parasite’s organelles (DALE, 2007). Even though suramin is usually used against trypanosomes it can also cause severe side effects, which, if not controlled by a doctor, may lead to the patient’s death (DALE, 2007). Side effects include, skin rashes, kidney failure, adrenal insufficiency, haemolytic anaemia and optic atrophy (DALE, 2007). It has been shown that some individuals may suffer an idiosyncratic reaction which can cause nausea, vomits, seizures and loss of consciousness (DALE, 2007).<br>Alternatively, patients may be given pentamidine isethionate instead of suramin (MURRAY, 2005). The process by which pentamidine kills trypanosomes is still not entirely understood, however, it is thought that it binds to a high-affinity energy-dependent carrier that interacts with the parasite’s DNA (DALE, 2007).<br>  
Suramin is usually used in the first stages of trypanosomiasis <ref>MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.</ref>. This intravenous drug forms a complex with host plasma proteins which, when inside the parasite, inhibits its enzymes leading to a gradual deterioration of the parasite’s organelles (DALE, 2007). Even though suramin is usually used against trypanosomes it can also cause severe side effects, which, if not controlled by a doctor, may lead to the patient’s death (DALE, 2007). Side effects include, skin rashes, kidney failure, adrenal insufficiency, haemolytic anaemia and optic atrophy (DALE, 2007). It has been shown that some individuals may suffer an idiosyncratic reaction which can cause nausea, vomits, seizures and loss of consciousness (DALE, 2007).<br>Alternatively, patients may be given pentamidine isethionate instead of suramin (MURRAY, 2005). The process by which pentamidine kills trypanosomes is still not entirely understood, however, it is thought that it binds to a high-affinity energy-dependent carrier that interacts with the parasite’s DNA (DALE, 2007).<br>  


== References ==
== References ==


<references />DALE, M. M. / FLOWER, R. J. / RITTER, J. M. / RANG, H. P., Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2007
<references />DALE, M. M. / FLOWER, R. J. / RITTER, J. M. / RANG, H. P., Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2007  


<references />MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.
<references />MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.

Revision as of 08:05, 26 November 2010

Trypanosoma brucei is a parasitic protozoan responsible for African trypanosomiasis or African sleeping sickness, as it is commonly known. This name is given after the abnormal fatigue that patients exhibit as T. brucei invades their central nervous system [1].

Symptoms

Usually Winterbottom’s sign is the first symptom of African trypanosomiasis [2]. It consists of swelling of the lymph nodes located on the back of the neck (posterior cervical lymphadenopathy) (MURRAY, 2005). This is usually followed by fever, myalgia and joint pain (arthralgia). On later stages of the disease T. brucei infects the CNS which leads to lethargy, coma and eventually death [3].


Treatment and prevention

 The treatment chosen depends on a few factors such as, the stage the disease is in and the diseases progression.

Suramin is usually used in the first stages of trypanosomiasis [4]. This intravenous drug forms a complex with host plasma proteins which, when inside the parasite, inhibits its enzymes leading to a gradual deterioration of the parasite’s organelles (DALE, 2007). Even though suramin is usually used against trypanosomes it can also cause severe side effects, which, if not controlled by a doctor, may lead to the patient’s death (DALE, 2007). Side effects include, skin rashes, kidney failure, adrenal insufficiency, haemolytic anaemia and optic atrophy (DALE, 2007). It has been shown that some individuals may suffer an idiosyncratic reaction which can cause nausea, vomits, seizures and loss of consciousness (DALE, 2007).
Alternatively, patients may be given pentamidine isethionate instead of suramin (MURRAY, 2005). The process by which pentamidine kills trypanosomes is still not entirely understood, however, it is thought that it binds to a high-affinity energy-dependent carrier that interacts with the parasite’s DNA (DALE, 2007).

References

  1. ↑ MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.
  2. ↑ MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.
  3. ↑ MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.
  4. ↑ MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.

DALE, M. M. / FLOWER, R. J. / RITTER, J. M. / RANG, H. P., Rang and Dale’s Pharmacology, Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, Philadelphia, 2007

MURRAY, Patrick R. / ROSENTHAL, Ken S. / PFALLER, Michael A., Medical Microbiology, Elsevier Mosby, Philadelphia, 2005.

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