Alvóbetegség

Alvóbetegség, also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic disease that affects humans and animals. The primary human pathogen responsible is a protozoan parasite of the Trypanosoma genus, specifically Trypanosoma brucei. This parasite is transmitted through the bite of infected tsetse flies, which are found in rural sub-Saharan Africa.

There are two main subspecies of Trypanosoma brucei that cause human sleeping sickness: Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense. The gambiense form is responsible for over 95% of cases and typically has a slow progression, developing over months or years. The rhodesiense form is less common and progresses more rapidly, with symptoms appearing within weeks.

The disease progresses in two stages. The first stage, the hemolymphatic stage, occurs when the parasite is in the blood and lymph. Symptoms can include fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rash. The second stage, the neurological stage, begins when the parasite crosses the blood-brain barrier and invades the central nervous system. This stage is characterized by neurological and psychiatric symptoms such as confusion, poor coordination, sleep disturbances (hence the name "sleeping sickness"), and eventually coma and death if left untreated.

Diagnosis involves identifying the parasite in blood, lymph fluid, or cerebrospinal fluid. Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and the subspecies involved, and can include medications like pentamidine, suramin, melarsoprol, and eflornithine. Prevention strategies focus on controlling tsetse fly populations and early detection and treatment of infected individuals.