African trypanosomiasisAfrican trypanosomiasis is an insect-borneparasitic 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.
Chagas diseaseChagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is a tropicalparasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi. It is spread mostly by insects in the subfamilyTriatominae, known as "kissing bugs". The symptoms change throughout the infection. In the early stage, symptoms are typically either not present or mild and may include fever, swollen lymph nodes, headaches, or swelling at the site of the bite.
Tsetse flyTsetse flies (UK: or US: ; sometimes spelled tzetze; also known as tik-tik flies) are large biting flies that inhabit much of tropical Africa. Tsetse flies include all the species in the genusGlossina, which are placed in their own family, Glossinidae. The tsetse is an obligate parasite that lives by feeding on the blood of vertebrate animals. Tsetse flies have been extensively studied because of their role in transmitting disease.
Trypanosoma bruceiSpecies of protozoan parasiteTrypanosoma brucei is a species of parasitic kinetoplastid belonging to the genus Trypanosoma that is present in sub-Saharan Africa. Unlike other protozoan parasites that normally infect blood and tissue cells, it is exclusively extracellular and inhabits the blood plasma and body fluids. It causes deadly vector-borne diseases: African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness in humans, and animal trypanosomiasis or nagana in cattle and horses.
Blood smearA blood smear, peripheral blood smear or blood film is a thin layer of blood smeared on a glass microscope slide and then stained in such a way as to allow the various blood cells to be examined microscopically. Blood smears are examined in the investigation of hematological (blood) disorders and are routinely employed to look for blood parasites, such as those of malaria and filariasis.
TrypanosomaTrypanosoma is a genus of kinetoplastids (class Trypanosomatidae), a group of unicellular parasitic flagellate protozoa under the phylum Euglenozoa. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek trypano- (borer) and soma (body) because of their corkscrew-like motion. Most trypanosomes are heteroxenous (requiring more than one obligatory host to complete life cycle) and most are transmitted via a vector.
FlagellateA flagellate is a cell or organism with one or more whip-like appendages called flagella. The word flagellate also describes a particular construction (or level of organization) characteristic of many prokaryotes and eukaryotes and their means of motion. The term presently does not imply any specific relationship or classification of the organisms that possess flagella.
Sub-Saharan AfricaRegions south of the SaharaPlaceSub-Saharan Africa is the areas and regions of the continent of Africa that lie south of the Sahara. These include Central Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, and West Africa. Geopolitically, in addition to the African countries and territories that are situated fully in that specified region, the term may also include polities that only have part of their territory located in that region, per the definition of the United Nations (UN).
ProtozoaProtozoa (sing.: protozoan or protozoon; alternative plural: protozoans) are a polyphyletic group of single-celledeukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, that feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic debris. Historically, protozoans were regarded as "one-celled animals".
Latin AmericaLatin America (Spanish: América Latina or Latinoamérica; Portuguese: América Latina) is the cultural region of the Americas where Romance languages are predominantly spoken, primarily Spanish and Portuguese. Since it is defined according to its cultural identity instead of its geography, Latin America includes countries from both North and South America. For instance, countries from North America like Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, etc. tend to be included.
AnemiaAnemia (also spelt anaemia in British English) is a blood disorder in which the blood has a reduced ability to carry oxygen. This can be due to a lower than normal number of red blood cells, a reduction in the amount of hemoglobin available for oxygen transport, or abnormalities in hemoglobin that impair its function. When anemia comes on slowly, the symptoms are often vague, such as tiredness, weakness, shortness of breath, headaches, and a reduced ability to exercise.
Covering sicknessCovering sickness, or dourine (French, from the Arabic darina, meaning mangy (said of a female camel), feminine of darin, meaning dirty), is a disease of horses and other members of the family Equidae. The disease is caused by Trypanosoma equiperdum, which belongs to an important genus of parasitic protozoa. The occurrence of dourine is notifiable in the European Union under legislation from the OIE.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.