Volume : 3, Issue : 3, MAR 2017

HUMAN AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS; POSSIBLE TREATMENT WITH ANTILYMPHOCYTE SERUM

A.S. Coulson M.D., C.W. McLemore M.D.

Abstract

Trypanosoma brucei is a protozoan parasite that causes Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness). This has become a major problem in sub-Saharan Africa. The second and terminal stage of the disease involves the migration of the parasite across the blood-brain barrier. Recent research suggests that the Trypanosome uses the patient’s own T cells to make a passage into the brain, exploiting the ability of the lymphocyte to create a hole in Laminin 4, and Laminin 2. This remarkable cooperation provides a therapeutic option, the use of anti-lymphocyte serum to block the signaling and close physical proximity needed by the parasite and lymphocyte for the brain invasion to succeed. In addition the significance of this occurrence is discussed in the context of the possible evolution of lymphocytes from protozoa.

Keywords

Human African Trypanosomiasis, Lymphocytes, Anti-lymphocyte Serum.

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