Human Parasitology Lecture 18

What order does Trypanosoma brucei belong to?

Order Kinetoplastia

What are the four morphological forms of Trypanosoma brucei?

Amastigote, Promastigote, Epimastigote, Trypomastigote.

What are glycosomes?

Organelles that contain glycolytic enzymes and are involved in ATP generation through glycolysis.

What are the two sections of Trypanosoma brucei?

Section Salivaria and Section Stercoraria.

What disease is caused by Trypanosoma brucei?

Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness.

What are the two subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei that cause HAT?

T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense.

What is antigenic variation in Trypanosoma brucei?

The process by which the parasite changes its surface proteins (VSG) to evade the host's immune response.

What are the symptoms of East African sleeping sickness caused by T. b. rhodesiense?

Rapid progression with fever, headache, and mental deterioration leading to death within months if untreated.

What are the symptoms of West African sleeping sickness caused by T. b. gambiense?

Slower progression with mild symptoms initially, leading to CNS involvement and death within approximately 3 years if untreated.

How is Trypanosoma brucei diagnosed?

Detection of the parasite in blood, lymph node fluid, or CSF, often using ELISA for antibody detection.

What treatments are available for Human African Trypanosomiasis?

Pentamidine, Suramin, Melarsoprol, and Eflornithine, depending on the stage of the disease.

What control measures are recommended for Trypanosoma brucei?

Prevent contact with tsetse flies through protective clothing, insect repellent, and sterile insect techniques.

What is the role of the glycosome in Trypanosoma brucei?

It allows for rapid adjustment to changing environmental conditions by compartmentalizing glycolysis.

What is the significance of the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG) in Trypanosoma brucei?

VSG allows the parasite to evade the host immune response by changing its surface antigens.

What are the two stages of Human African Trypanosomiasis?

Hemolymphatic stage (1st stage) and meningo-encephalitic stage (2nd stage).

What happens during the hemolymphatic stage of HAT?

The parasite is present in peripheral circulation and lymph system but has not invaded the CNS.

What happens during the meningo-encephalitic stage of HAT?

The parasite crosses the blood-brain barrier and infects the CNS.

What is the prognosis for untreated Human African Trypanosomiasis?

It leads to coma and death if not treated.

What is the role of the tsetse fly in the life cycle of Trypanosoma brucei?

It serves as the vector that transmits the parasite to mammals.

What is the difference between the slender and stumpy forms of trypomastigotes?

Slender forms multiply in the mammal, while stumpy forms are infective to the insect vector.

What is the function of maxi-circles and mini-circles in the kinetoplast?

Maxi-circles are involved in mitochondrial function, while mini-circles are involved in the production of VSG.

What is the significance of the 'fly destructive to cattle' in relation to Trypanosoma brucei?

The tsetse fly is a vector for the disease and significantly impacts livestock health in Africa.