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Trypanosomiasis, African
[Trypanosoma brucei gambiense] [Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense]

The two Trypanosoma brucei species that cause African trypanosomiasis, T. b. gambiense and T. b. rhodesiense, are indistinguishable morphologically.  A typical trypomastigote has a small kinetoplast located at the posterior end, a centrally located nucleus, an undulating membrane, and a flagellum running along the undulating membrane, leaving the body at the anterior end.  Trypomastigotes are the only stage found in patients.  Trypanosomes range in length from 14 to 33 µm.

Trypansoma brucei sp. in a thick blood smear Trypansoma brucei sp. in a thick blood smear
A B

A, B:  Trypansoma brucei sp. in thick blood smears stained with Giemsa.

Trypansoma brucei sp. in a thick blood smear
C

C: Trypansoma brucei sp. in thick blood smears stained with Giemsa.

 

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