Resolving the apparent transmission paradox of African sleeping sickness

Capewell, P. et al. (2019) Resolving the apparent transmission paradox of African sleeping sickness. PLoS Biology, 17(1), e3000105. (doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000105) (PMID:30633739) (PMCID:PMC6345479)

Abstract

Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or African sleeping sickness, is a fatal disease found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. The disease is close to elimination in many areas, although it was similarly close to elimination once before and subsequently reemerged, despite seemingly low rates of transmission. Determining how these foci persisted and overcame an apparent transmission paradox is key to finally eliminating HAT. By assessing clinical, laboratory, and mathematical data, we propose that asymptomatic infections contribute to transmission through the presence of an overlooked reservoir of skin-dwelling parasites. Our assessment suggests that a combination of asymptomatic and parasitaemic cases is sufficient to maintain transmission at foci without animal reservoirs, and we argue that the current policy not to treat asymptomatic HAT should be reconsidered.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacLeod, Professor Annette and Weir, Professor Willie and Capewell, Dr Paul and Garside, Professor Paul and O'Connell, Dr Caroline
• Authors: Capewell, P., Atkins, K., Weir, W., Jamonneau, V., Camara, M., Clucas, C., Swar, N.-R. K., Ngoyi, D. M., Rotureau, B., Garside, P., Galvani, A. P., Bucheton, B., and MacLeod, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Research Centre: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
• Journal Name: PLoS Biology
• Publisher: Public Library of Science
• ISSN: 1544-9173
• ISSN (Online): 1545-7885
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in PLOS Biology 17(1):e3000105
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License