African trypanosomiasis historical perspective

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Pilar Almonacid; Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

African trypanosomiasis has been present in Africa for thousands of years. In 1903, David Bruce identified the causative agentvector and the differentiation between the subspecies of the protozoa was made in 1910.

Historical Perspective

  • In 1841, Valentin, professor of physiology discovered a trypanosome-like flagellate for the first time in the blood of a trout.[1]
  • In 1843, Gruby gave a detailed description of trypanosomes based on the work done independently by Gluge, Mayer in the blood of frogs.
  • In 1891, Nepveu identified trypanosomes for the first time in human blood.
  • In 1898, Brault suggested that trypanosomes as the cause of sleeping sickness.
  • In 1901, Forde and Dutton described T. b. gambiense in human blood for the first time.
  • In 1902: First and second Sleeping Sickness Commission led by Low and Bruce was conducted in Uganda.
  • In 1902, Castellani identified trypanosomes in cerebrospinal fluid of sleeping sickness patients for the first time.
  • In 1902, Laveran and Mesnil discovered that sodium arsenite can be used to kill trypanosomes.
  • In 1903, David Bruce recognized the tsetse fly as the arthropod vector.
  • In 1905, Bruce suggested that tsetse flies transmit trypanosomes mechanically.
  • In 1909, Kleine demonstrated the cyclical transmission of trypanosomes in tsetse flies.
  • In 1910, Stevens and Fantham identified T. b. rhodesiense as the cause of acute sleeping sickness.
  • In 1914, Ritz described the antigenic variation of trypanosomes.
  • In 1945, DDT was used for the first time in controlling tsetse flies.
  • In 1949, melarsoprol was used for the first time as an anti-trypanosome drug.
  • In 1969, Vickerman described the coat of trypanosomes as the source of antigenic variation.
  • In 1992, Eflornithine was used for the treatment of human sleeping sickness.

References

  1. Cox FE (2004). "History of sleeping sickness (African trypanosomiasis)". Infect. Dis. Clin. North Am. 18 (2): 231–45. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2004.01.004. PMID 15145378.