African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease caused by infection with one of two subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. These parasites are transmitted to humans by the bite of various species of Glossina (tsetse fly).

This fly is the only known vector, so the disease is localized to areas where the fly is able to thrive. The disease is found only in sub-Saharan Africa between latitudes 14 °N and 29 °S within limits of the geographical distribution of the tsetse fly.

The clinical presentation in Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense is more accurate, however, with overt clinical signs and symptoms developing with days following infection; the Trypanosoma brucei gambiense form is chronic, with months and sometimes years elapsing before the appearance of any obvious signs or symptoms.

Upon infections with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, early symptoms involve fever, swelling of the lymph nodes, headaches, weakness, weight loss and often a rash near the site of inoculation.

African trypanosomiasis is rarely reported outside the continent of Africa where it is endemic. However, world travelers, especially those who go on safari in East Africa, may be bitten by the tsetse fly and develop symptoms after they return to their home countries.
African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease

Chagas disease also called American trypanosomiasis is an infection caused by the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi.

It is endemic in Central and South Americas, with significant prevalence of human infection in 22 Latin American countries, where it affects 10-12 million people and kills more than 15,000 humans each year.

Trypanosoma cruzi, disease is a protozoan parasite that enzootic and endemic in much of the Americas, where it infects a wide variety of wild and domestic mammals as well as many species of triatomine vectors in addition to humans.

Triatomine bugs feed on the blood of a host by biting through the host’s skin. As they feed, the bugs frequently defecate and deposit the infective stage of the parasite in the host’s skin.

This occurs when people live in structures in which vectors have become domiciliary and are bitten by the insects while sleeping.

Chagas disease may be spread by transfusions of infected blood, or from mother to child through the placenta. 

Three stages of infection occur with Chagas disease and each stage has different symptoms.
*Acute stage: symptoms include Romana’s sign or swelling of the eye on one side of the face. A reddish swelling at the site of the bite.
*Intermediate stage: no symptoms are present
*Chronic stage: may begin decades after infection Cardiac problems, including an enlarged heart, altered heart rate or rhythm, heart failure or cardiac arrest.
American trypanosomiasis or Chagas disease