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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1979

Studies on the epidemiology of trypanosomiasis in sheep and goats in Kenya.

The epidemiology of trypanosomiasis in a tsetse-infested range area of Kenya was studied for 2 years in various breeds of sheep and goats. Observations, including infection rates, PCV, temperature and weight loss indicated that the exotic breeds were more susceptible to natural trypanosomal infection than the indigenous breeds and that the infection may be severely debilitating and in many cases fatal. Observations of tsetse numbers and rainfall in the grazing area during the first year showed that there was a significant correlation between tsetse numbers and rainfall of the previous month. The increase in tsetse numbers, which occurred one month after substantial rainfall, was followed by an increase in the prevalence of trypanosomiasis in the animals. However, during the second year when rainfall was low there was no correlation between tsetse numbers and rainfall. It was concluded that the seasonal incidence of trypanosomiasis and the possible trypanotolerance of the indigenous breeds are important factors to be considered when initiating a small stock improvement programme for trypanosomiasis-endemic areas.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Pancarditis with valvulitis in endomyocardial fibrosis (=emf) and in human African trypanosomiasis (= hat). A comparative histological study of four Ugandan cases.

The study compares the histotopographical lesions of two cases of endomyocardial fibrosis with those of two hearts in sleeping sickness, all of them from Uganda. There was considerable overlapping of the fibrosed zones in endomyocardial fibrosis and the corresponding sites occupied by the chronic inflammatory process in trypanosomiasis. There was a tendency towards fibrosis in the hearts of trypanosomiasis while, in endomyocardial fibrosis, there were mild focal chronic cellular infiltrations. This overlapping and to some extent similarities would suggest that the two conditions may only differ in evolution in time and intensity and that they may be the result of the same inflammatory process. Stipulating a cardiac tropism for African trypanosomes, it is suggested that some African cases of endomyocardial fibrosis may be merely burnt-out lesions of trypanosomal pancarditis. Previous descriptions of carditis in human African and American trypanosomiasis are briefly reviewed, and the present findings are discussed in view of a possible trypanosomal aetiology in some African cardiomyopathies.

Endomyocardial Fibrosis↗

PubMed1977

Pathological aspects of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in Uganda. A post-mortem survey of fourteen cases.

The pathological features of 14 cases of human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) occurring in Uganda over an 8 year period are described. Three cases were clinically proven and in all 14 cases a chronic meningoencephalitis was found. In 2 cases there was histological evidence of ganglion radiculitis and in one of these chronic choroiditis and peripheral neuritis associated with chronic myositis were present. The cardiac lesions consisted of a chronic pancarditis of varying degree in 8 cases and in 3 a generalized valvulitis was observed. In 2 cases, specially investigated, generalized lesions of the conducting system were noticed. Previous histopathological descriptions of HAT are briefly reviewed. The present findings are compared with some of those recorded in human american trypanosomiasis and experimental African trypanosomiasis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Evaluation of an indirect fluorescent antibody test, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and quantification of immunoglobulins in the diagnosis of bovine trypanosomiasis.

An indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), a microscale version of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (microELISA) and determination of IgM levels in serum were assessed for their comparative diagnostic value in the detection of bovine trypanosomiasis. Serum samples from drug-treated N'dama cattle and untreated N'dama and Zebu cattle from Liberia were examined for the presence fo antibodies to trypanosomes. In the untreated Zebu cattle, infections with T. vivax predominated and the prevalence of infection was higher than that found in untreated N'damas in which infections with T. congolense predominated. The proportion of animals which showed serological evidence of trypanosomiasis in the untreated Zebus was slightly higher than that found in the untreated N'damas. The prevalence of infection was low in N'dama cattle which had been treated with diminazene aceturate and homidium chloride but 50% of the animals showed serological evidence of trypanosomiasis. More serologically positive animals were detected by microELISA than IFAT, but both tests were equally sensitive in detecting antibodies in cattle in which trypanosomes were demonstrated by examination of peripheral blood. With both IFAT and microELISA it was necessary to carry out tests using antigens prepared from T. brucei, T. vivax and T. congolense in order to detect all serologically positive animals. Increases in serum IgM occurred in both N'dama and Zebu cattle but the levels were raised in only approximately half of the known infected animals. Overall, more animals gave positive reactions with IFAT and microELISA than showed raised IgM levels.

Animals↗

PubMed1976

Pancarditis affecting the conducting system and all valves in human African trypanosomiasis.

This paper describes the pathological features of 10 cases of human African trypanosomiasis occurring in Uganda over an 8-year period. Three cases were clinically proved, and in all 10 cases chronic meningoencephalitis and myocarditis were present. There was chronic pancarditis in 6 cases, and in 3 of these there was a generalized focal valvulitis and in 2 lesions of the conducting system. Previous descriptions of carditis in human African trypanosomiasis are briefly reviewed, and the present findings are compared with some cardiomyopathies as well as American human and experimental trypanosomiasis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1977

Application of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness).

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) is described. A crude extract of a Trypanosoma brucei suspension which was purified from all blood components was used as antigen. In rabbits experimentally infected with T. brucei or T. rhodesiense both homologous (anti-T. brucei) and heterologous (anti-T. rhodesiense) Trypanosoma antibodies could be detected with ELISA using T. brucei as antigen. The sensitivity of ELISA was comparable with that of the immunofluorescence (IF) technique. Sera of patients with sleeping sickness were examined with ELISA and IF. It proved possible to discriminate between groups of individuals with and without trypanosomiasis. Cross reactions were only observed with serum from a patient in which antibodies to Leishmania were detected. No cross reactions were observed in sera from patients with malaria, toxoplasmosis, schistosomiasis, or echinococcosis. ELISA represents a good alternative to IF in the serology of African trypanosomiasis, and may be particularly suitable for mass screening purposes.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

African trypanosomiasis: a danger for tourists visiting Gambia?

A 30-year-old Swedish woman visiting Gambia in 1975 acquired trypanosomiasis probably of the Gambian type. The first sign of her disease appeared as a trypanosomal chancre on her right thigh, soon followed by lymphadenitis in her right groin. One week later she became febrile and therefore hospitalized after returning to Sweden. The diagnosis was established by demonstrating numerous trypanosomes in a blood smear. 10 pentamidine injections (200 mg once daily intramuscularly cured her disease. The risk of acquiring trypanosomiasis in Gambia seems to be extremely small for tourists, but not quite negligible.

Adult↗

PubMed1975

Thrombocytopenia in trypanosomiasis.

In all of four patients with African trypanosomiasis, thrombocytopenia was present on admission to hospital or developed during the course of the illness. One patient with severe thrombocytopenia died following gastrointestinal haemorrhage shortly after admission to hospital. Kinetic studies in the other three patients showed marked pooling of platelets in the spleen in all, but severe shortening of platelet life-span in only one. Evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was found in 3 patients, 2 of whom received heparin therapy. These findings provide evidence that thrombocytopenia is a feature of African trypanosomiasis and is due mainly to hypertrophy of the reticuloendothelial system which accompanies the infection. In some patients immune damage to platelets or platelet consumption as part of DIC may be an additional factor contributing to the thrombocytopenia.

Adult↗

PubMed1978

Heterophile antibody to red cells in human trypanosomiasis.

The heterophile red cell antibodies formed in human trypanosomiasis have been investigated. It has been shown that infection with Trypanosoma rhodesiense induces agglutinins reactive with sheep and rabbit red cells, whilst Trypanosoma gambiense induces agglutinins which react only with rabbit red cells. Both types of antibody can be distinguished from similar antibodies produced by infectious mononucleosis and Forssman antigen, and the detection and characterization of the antibodies therefore provides a basis for clinical diagnostic tests in human trypanosomiasis.

Agglutination Tests↗

PubMed1976

Incidence of and beliefs about trypanosomiasis in the Senegal River Basin.

A survey was conducted for trypanosomiasis of 10,875 persons living in 56 villages in the Senegal River Basin in Mali. The incidence of the disease was found to be 137.9/100,000. An interview survey was simultaneously undertaken in order to elucidate local beliefs about the disease. Although trypanosomiasis is recognized as a distinct disease entity once the late stage has developed, there is no knowledge of its relationship to tsetse flies. It is common knowledge that hunters who frequent riverine forest galleries and forested savanna often contract the disease. Their frequent and intense exposure to Glossina sp. is not viewed as having any relationship to their contracting the disease.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMed1978

The role of the host immune response in the development of tissue lesions associated with African trypanosomiasis in mice.

A variety of tissue lesions occurs in African trypanosomiasis, in the pathogenesis of which direct toxic effects of the parasite as well as immunological mechanisms may be involved. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the role of the host immune response in inducing tissue damage in this disease and particularly in the production of lesions in striated muscle. The development of muscle lesions in T. brucei infection was studied in several groups of mice with different forms of immunodeficiency, as well as in normal mice. In the normal mice, foci of intense inflammation and necrosis were found in the cardiac and skeletal muscles 2 weeks or more after infection. In these lesions, there was a heavy deposition of IgG and IgM, and of trypanosomal antigens. In irradiated, newborn mice, and athymic nude mice infected with T. brucei, these inflammatory lesions were not found, although large numbers of trypanosomes were present between the muscle fibres. The characteristic lesions could be induced in athymic nude mice by transfer of normal spleen cells or of normal T lymphocytes 1 week after the onset of infection. The lesions were also partly induced by transfer of antibody to T. brucei. No antibodies to tissue components, particularly to cardiac myofibrils, were found in any of the infected mice. The results of this study show that immunodeficiency suppresses the development of the characteristic muscle lesions of African trypanosomiasis. The relative importance of humoral and cellular immune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of these lesions is not year clear.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Reliability of the indirect immunofluorescence test in the diagnosis of African human trypanosomiasis (author's transl)].

The reliability of an immunodiagnosis depends on its efficiency, i.e. the possibility of sorting out infected people from uninfected thanks to a good sensibility and a good specificity, and to its reproductibility. The authors have studied the reliability of the Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT) for trypanosomiasis diagnosis on 90 sera (30 sera from patients with proven trypanosomiasis and 60 sera from patients free of trypanosome infection). Reproductibility is considered as good when the reading has been done by the same reader. Sensibility approaches 100 p. 100 and specificity varies according to readers: the reader taking the "brillance" into account obtains a specificity of more than 85 p. 100 and the reader reading the immunofluorescence extinction obtains a specificity between 65 p. 100 and 77 p. 100. The IFAT may be taken as a reference to evaluate new immunodiagnosis.

Antigens↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Comparative study of immunoenzyme technics, ELISA and on formed antigens, in the immunologic diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis].

The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the serodiagnosis of human african trypanosomiasis is described, comparatively with the immunoperoxidase technique using blood streamforms of Trypanosoma brucei as antigen. Practical aspects for measuring the amount of antibody in serum samples from infected rabbits and from patients with african sleeping sickness are discussed. ELISA does offer important advantages over the other method used namely: -- quantitative estimates are possible, -- it bends itself readily to large scale series, owing the fact that it can be fully automatic. These qualities will be turned to full account when the different classes of antibodies present in trypanosomiasis suffers can be examined by means of specific antigenic fractions.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Some new cases of congenital human African trypanosomiasis (T. gambiense) (author's transl)].

The authors report three cases of congenital transmission of T. gambiense. In two cases, the parasite has been found in the blood of the umbilical cord. In the third case, it has been found twenty hours after birth in the peripherical blood of a new born child whose mother was affected by trypanosomiasis. They report also two cases of pregnant mothers with sleeping sickness, whose children were born-unaffected by the disease. The authors believe that the placental transmission of the human african trypanosomiasis is more frequent than thought.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Hepatic involvement in Trypanosoma rhodesiense trypanosomiasis].

The authors report a clinical and biological study of 40 cases of T. rhodesiense trypanosomiasis. In 40% of cases there was a hepatomegaly, in 3 cases an ascitis, and biological abnormalities in 25% of cases. After having compared these results with other authors works (including T. rhodesiense and T. gambiense), they reached the conclusion that hepatic involvement in T. rhodesiense trypanosomiasis in frequent, leading sometimes to transient acute hepatic failure.

Alanine Transaminase↗

PubMed1976

Parallel evaluation of serological tests applied in african trypanosomiasis: a WHO collaborative study.

Previously, the most commonly used serological tests for the indirect diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis were the indirect fluorescent antibody test, immunodiffusion test, and the determination of IgM levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid. Recently, the capillary passive haemagglutination test and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been used in diagnosing trypanosomiasis. However, a parallel evaluation was needed to indicate the comparative diagnostic value of these various serological tests. A double-blind study conducted by WHO with the collaboration of three European and four African laboratories using well-documented serum samples provides a reasonable basis for determining in parallel the sensitivities of the various techniques.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

PubMed1975

Investigation of the EVI antibody in parasitic diseases other than American trypanosomiasis. An anti-skeletal muscle antibody in leishmaniasis.

The specificity of a circulating antibody observed in American trypanosomiasis and reacting with endocardium, blood vessels, and the interstitium of striated muscle (EVI factor) was evaluated in the indirect fluorescent antibody test with 60 sera from patients with malaria, leishmaniasis, echinococcosis, amebiasis, African trypanosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, and trichinosis, collected from areas where Chagas' disease is not endemic. Two sera, 1 from a patient with Plasmodium falciparum malaria and 1 from a patient with a relapse pretreatment post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, were positive for the EVI factor. In the leishmaniasis group, 3 of 8 sera reacted with 0ovine, murine, and human skeletal muscle. In this reaction, which differs from the EVI test, the sarcolemma and the intracellular structures were stained.

Animals↗

PubMed1977

Naturally occurring trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) in dogs.

Nine fatal cases of canine American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) were encountered from November, 1972, through November, 1975. Of the 9 cases, 7 occurred in dogs from 5 central Texas counties, and all but one case was diagnosed during the months of September, October, or November. The source of infection was discovered in only one case--that being a doghouse heavily infested with Triatoma lectularius occulta. Each of 6 bugs collected had infective forms of the protozoan, Trypanosoma cruzi. Trypanosomiasis usually is not considered in the differential clinical diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in man or other mammals in the United States. An antemortem diagnosis was made in only 1 of the 9 dogs, with diagnosis in the remaining dogs being made at necropsy. The predominant microscopic lesion in all dogs was necrotizing granulomatous myocarditis associated with the amastigotes of T cruzi.

Animals↗