1. Diseases caused byTrypanosoma evansi, a review
- Author
-
G. J. Losos
- Subjects
General Veterinary ,biology ,Host (biology) ,Incidence (epidemiology) ,General Medicine ,Trypanosoma evansi ,medicine.disease ,biology.organism_classification ,Serology ,Pathognomonic ,Immunology ,medicine ,Patchy distribution ,Trypanosomiasis - Abstract
The literature on the diseases caused byTrypanosoma evansi is reviewed and the gaps in the available information are emphasized.Trypanosoma evansi, on the basis of combined similarities in morphology, biological behaviour, and to some degree based on geographical distribution, is a species closely related to and probably originating fromT.brucei. The distribution ofT. evansi is very wide in the Old and New World and it is transmitted by biting flies and vampire bats. It has a patchy distribution in any region and new foci of infection have a high incidence. Diagnosis is made on demonstration of trypanosomes, biochemical tests detecting increase in serum proteins, and on specific serological tests. The clinical signs vary with the acuteness of the syndrome, often being characterized by a chronic course with lack of pathognomonic signs. There is very little information on the pathology of the diseases in various species of animals, but the lesions apper to be similar to those caused byT. brucei and are associated with the distribution of trypanosomes in solid tissues. Immunological studies habe been limited primarily to serology in connection with diagnostic procedures. Laboratory models have been studied and the syndromes are similar to those produced byT.brucei. Chemotherapy is varied and to some degree dependent on the species of host. More information on the incidence and severity of diseases is required to identify priorities for further research.
- Published
- 1980