Which protist causes african sleeping sickness

The JMU researcher counts the Trypanosoma enzyme among the class of ApaH-like phosphatases which are of bacterial origin. Although this class of enzymes does not exist in vertebrates, it is found in other groups of animals. So we want to study next whether ApaH-like phosphatases from other organisms are equally involved in degrading the messenger RNA," Kramer says.

Trypanosomes are wide-spread in sub-Saharan Africa. The worm-like parasites are transmitted by the bite of an infected tsetse fly. Each year, there are 30, new infections. Initial symptoms include headaches and joint pains followed by confusion, seizures and other symptoms in later stages. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you think you are infected. Tests can find the parasite. These tests may include blood samples and a spinal tap lumbar puncture.

Your provider may also take a sample of chancre fluid or tissue, or fluid from swollen lymph nodes. Medicine is available to treat the disease. You will need to stay in the hospital. After you go home, you will need follow-up exams for about 2 years. These will include a spinal tap. Because this infection is so rare, your healthcare provider may talk with an infectious disease or tropical medicine specialist. No vaccine or medicine can prevent African sleeping sickness.

But you can avoid being bitten by tsetse flies. Experts recommend the following:. You will need to be checked out periodically for at least a couple years. If you have a fever, rash, or chancre ulceration of the skin after returning from areas in Africa where you may have been bitten by a tsetse fly, contact your healthcare provider. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes African sleeping sickness? Who is at risk for African sleeping sickness?

As the illness gets worse, symptoms may include: Severe headache Personality change Weight loss Irritability Loss of concentration Progressive confusion Slurred speech Seizures Difficulty walking and talking Sleeping for long periods of the day Insomnia at night If left untreated, death will occur within several weeks to months.

How is African sleeping sickness diagnosed? Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Syndicate. Minus Related Pages. To receive email updates about this page, enter your email address: Email Address.

What's this? This is an infection of the brain and the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord. As the illness gets worse, symptoms may include:. If left untreated, death will occur within several weeks to months.

The symptoms of African sleeping sickness may look like other health problems. Always see your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. See a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you think you are infected. Tests can find the parasite. These tests may include blood samples and a spinal tap lumbar puncture. Your provider may also take a sample of chancre fluid or tissue, or fluid from swollen lymph nodes. Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Medicine is available to treat the disease. You will need to stay in the hospital. After you go home, you will need follow-up exams for about 2 years. These will include a spinal tap. Because this infection is so rare, your healthcare provider may talk with an infectious disease or tropical medicine specialist. If the disease is not treated, the symptoms can worsen to a severe illness.

Death will occur. No vaccine or medicine can prevent African sleeping sickness. But you can prevent being bitten by tsetse flies. Experts recommend the following:.