Waking up to sleeping sickness

Stich, A., Barrett, M. and Krishna, S. (2003) Waking up to sleeping sickness. Trends in Parasitology, 19(5), pp. 195-197. (doi: 10.1016/S1471-4922(03)00055-2)

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Abstract

Devastating epidemics of human African trypanosomiasis are currently re-emerging in many sub-Saharan countries. In the past three decades, clinical research into this important disease has been neglected, as have urgently needed initiatives on drug development, disease surveillance and vector control. Recent impetus has aimed to provide a free supply of antitrypanosomal drugs, to develop a new orally active trypanocidal agent and to attack the tsetse vector with modern technology. In addition, pan-African initiatives to co-ordinate control efforts have begun. These all provide some hope for the future, but they might not be enough to reverse the resurgence of this deadly disease in the heart of Africa. Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, ranks among the top contenders for title of greatest neglected disease of mankind. Untreated, it is uniformly fatal, either in a matter of weeks (when caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense) or within months or years (when caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense). Up to half a million individuals could be infected. Yet, remarkably few people have given the disease any attention in the past three decades.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Barrett, Professor Michael
Authors: Stich, A., Barrett, M., and Krishna, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Trends in Parasitology
ISSN:1471-4922

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