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Trypanosoma brucei

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High Yield Notes

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Flashcards

Trypanosoma brucei

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Questions

USMLE® Step 1 style questions USMLE

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A 28-year-old woman is brought to a rural clinic in sub-Saharan Africa by concerned family members. Three weeks ago, she developed headaches, swollen lymph nodes at the back of the neck, and an eschar over the right forearm. Starting a week ago, the patient became progressively more fatigued and somnolent. Past medical history is unremarkable. Temperature is 38.5°C (101.3°F), blood pressure is 107/71 mmHg, and pulse is 73/min. Physical examination reveals a lethargic individual who is difficult to arouse. Kernig and Brudzinski signs are negative. There is no hepatosplenomegaly. An infectious etiology is suspected. Via which of the following routes did this patient most likely acquire this infection? 

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External References

First Aid

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Coma

Trypanosoma brucei p. , 153

Lymphadenopathy

Trypanosoma brucei p. , 153

Trypanosoma brucei p. , 153, 198

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Summary

Trypanosoma brucei is a species of parasitic protozoan that causes African trypanosomiasis, which is also known as African sleeping sickness. Its two most recognized subspecies are Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (southern and eastern Africa) and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (central and western Africa). It is transmitted by the tsetse fly and primarily affects humans and livestock in sub-Saharan Africa,

Symptoms of sleeping sickness may include fever, headache, joint pain, itching, and swollen lymph nodes, followed by neurological symptoms such as confusion, sleep disturbances, and seizures as the infection progresses. Treatment of sleeping sickness typically involves a combination of drugs, such as pentamidine and suramin, for the early stages of the disease, and more toxic drugs, such as melarsoprol and eflornithine, for the later stages.