African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness, is caused by microscopic parasites of the species Trypanosoma brucei which is transmitted by the tsetse fly found in rural Africa. The disease has been a serious public health problem in some regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Symptoms in advanced stages include alteration of biological clocks, confusion, slurred speech, seizures and difficulty walking or talking which can lead to death if not treated. Treatment options include drugs like diminazene and suramin, while prevention focuses on reducing reservoirs of infection and the presence of tsetse flies through screening programs and early diagnosis.

1. Mr. Ali A. Radwan

2. Introduction :- African Trypanosomiasis, also known as "sleeping sickness” .
- Caused by microscopic parasites of the species Trypanosoma
brucei.
- It is transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina species), which is
found only in rural Africa.
- It has been a serious public health problem in some regions of
sub-Saharan Africa.
- The other human form of trypanosomiasis, called Chagas
disease

4. Trypanosoma life cycle :-

5. Blood smear
Giemsa stain

6. Diagnosis :- Diagnosis relies on recognition of the flagellate on
a blood smear .
- Motile organisms may be visible in the buffy coat when
a blood sample is spun down.
- In humans the tsetse fly bite erupts into a red sore and
within a few weeks the person can :
•
•
•
•
Fever
Swollen lymph glands
Aching muscles and joints
Headaches and irritability

7. In advanced stages :• alteration of the biological clock (the circadian rhythm)
• Confusion
• Slurred speech
• Seizures and difficulty in walking and talking
• These problems can develop over many years and if
not treated
• “Leading over many years to death”

8. Clinical signs :- Cattle may show enlarged lymph nodes and internal
organs.
- Hemolytic anemia is a characteristic sign.
- Systemic disease and reproductive are common, and
cattle appear to waste away.
- Horses with dourine show signs of ventral and genital
edema and urticarial.
- Infected dogs and cats may show severe systemic signs.

9. Treatment :- Diminazene
- Homidium
- Suramin
- Fly control is another option but is difficult to implement.

10. Prevention : The main approaches to controlling African trypanosomiasis
are to reduce the reservoirs of infection and the presence of
the tsetse fly.
 Screening of people at risk helps identify patients at an early
stage.
 Diagnosis should be made as early as possible and before the
advanced stage to avoid complicated .