Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense By: Kevin Malone

Origin The earliest recorded account of sleeping sickness comes from upper Niger during the 14th century Recorded in historical writings of Ibn Khaldoun, who wrote about the disease in his account of the history of North Africa

First Detection The earliest detection of trypanosomes in human blood was in 1902, when R.M. Forde discovered what was then thought to be filiaria in the blood of a steamboat captain who had traveled extensively along the River Gambia

Historical Migration Factor Historically, the impact of animal trypanosomiasis were so profound that it influenced the migration routes of cattle-owning tribes into the continent who were forced to avoid the G. morsitans “fly-belts” Also forcing European and Arab settlers into the continent, who depended on horses and oxen causing this disease to become more wide spread

Influence Some tribes dam up water sources so the have something closer to the village This makes the water stagnant and very susceptible to Tsetse Fly infestation

Endemic Zones Zaïre Uíge Bengo Kwanza Norte

Victims Infects large and small mammals Transmitted by a vector the Tsetse Fly Around stagnant water areas and places where people rely on these pools for water

Severity In Uganda, infections had rapid progression to the late stage (meningoencephalitic infection) in the majority of patients Infections in Malawi were of a chronic nature, where few patients progressed to the late stage despite having infections for several months

Prevention Since the vaccinations for this disease have very bad side effects, controlling the vector is easier Stay away from areas where stagnant water is prevalent

Chemical Prevention Residual insecticides such as organochlorines (DDT, Dieldrin, Endosulfan), pyrethroids (deltamethrin, permethrin, and alphamethrin), and avermectins (ivermectin) Pyrethroids are most common because they degrade rapidly in the soil

Drug Prevention Suramin (Germanin) 1922, Stage 1 Pentamidine (Pentacarinat) ’37, Stage 1 Melarsoprol (Arsobal) ’49, Stage 1 & 2 Eflormithine (Orindyl) ’81, Stage 1 & 2

Side Effects The drugs are harmfully toxic requiring extensive hospitalization Allergic reactions, renal complications, insoluble mixtures causing death, coma, blindness, many more

Modern Prevention Attempts Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) first considered to control tsetse by Simpson in 1958 Sterilize the male and release to wild females

Works Cited www.google.com www.cdc.com www.dndi.org www.who.com www.medicalecology.org