Diagnosis and Treatment of Trypanosoma brucei
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 12 December 2024 | Viewed by 24
Special Issue Editor
Interests: trypanosomes; calcium signaling; chemotherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The Trypanosoma brucei group of parasites is the causative agent of slee** sickness or Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), as well as nagana in cattle. These diseases are endemic in sub-Saharan Africa, and they are generally fatal if untreated. No vaccines are available. Current chemotherapy rests upon the use of six drugs, including suramin, pentamidine, melarsoprol, eflornithine, nifurtmox, and fexinidazole, but remains unsatisfactory especially for advanced cases. Furthermore, the development of drug resistance makes finding new chemotherapeutic agents imperative.
The parasites are transmitted to humans by the bites of infected tsetse flies. They initially replicate in subcutaneous tissue, blood, and lymph, and then cross the blood–brain barrier into the central nervous system (CNS). The early diagnosis of HAT is crucial for effective treatment because the pharmacological treatment of CNS-stage disease can be complex and very toxic; however, conventional procedures, such as serological and microscopic tests of blood or lymph node aspirates, are time-consuming and unreliable. The development of rapid, reliable, and economic diagnostic tools is mandatory.
The aim of this Special Issue is to present recent progress in the diagnosis and treatment of HAT and nagana, including new diagnostic tools and methods, drug resistance, and new drugs as well as treatment strategies. We will accept research articles, reviews, and short communications.
Dr. Guozhong Huang
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- Trypanosoma brucei
- trypanosomiasis
- slee** sickness
- Nagana
- chemotherapy
- drug resistance
- diagnosis
- treatment
