Trypanosoma brucei

Summary

Trypanosoma brucei, or T. brucei for short, is a protozoan parasite transmitted by the Tsetse fly, which is endemic to Africa. Infections with T. Brucei cause African trypanosomiasis, which is also called the African sleeping sickness. Early infections present with a chancre or sore at the fly bite site as well as lymphadenopathy. Late findings of infection include Meningoencephalitis and sleep disturbances. An infection is clinically diagnosed by visualizing the parasitic trypanosomes under the microscope. Treatments include a range of anti-parasitic drugs, including pentamidine, eflornithine and nifurtimox.

Key Points

• Trypanosoma brucei 
  • Transmission
    • Transmitted by Tsetse fly
      • Endemic in Africa
  • Presentation: African trypanosomiasis
    • Also known as African sleeping sickness
      • Early infection
        • Chancre at bite site (MB)
        • Lymphadenopathy 
      • Late infection
        • Meningoencephalitis
          • Sleeping disturbance is often seen
  • Diagnosis
    • Trypanosomes visualized under microscopy
  • Treatment
    • Pentamidine is first-line for acute infection
    • Eflornithine and nifurtimox is first-line for late infection