Trypanosoma brucei

Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoan parasite of significant medical importance, responsible for causing African trypanosomiasis, a devastating disease in humans and animals in sub-Saharan Africa. This unicellular parasite is transmitted to its hosts through the bite of the tsetse fly, which serves as the vector for the parasite. T. brucei exists in two major subspecies, Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, each causing a distinct form of African trypanosomiasis in humans. The disease can manifest in an acute or chronic form and is characterized by severe neurological and systemic symptoms. T. brucei is known for its remarkable ability to evade the host's immune system by frequently changing the surface protein coat, making it a challenging target for treatment and control efforts. Research into this parasite and its mechanisms of evasion continues in the quest to develop more effective treatments and preventative measures for this neglected tropical disease.