Will the real Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense please step forward?
The sleeping sickness trypanosomes Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and T. brucei gambiense are morphologically indistinguishable from each other and from T. brucei brucei, which does not infect humans. The relationships between these three subspecies have been controversial. Several years ago, the characterization of T. brucei gambiense was reviewed in an attempt to clarify and draw together the results, and to put them in the context of the biology of the organism. The discovery of a gene associated with human-serum resistance in T. brucei rhodesiense and the consequent reappraisal of the identity of this trypanosome prompt this companion article.
Gibson
Wendy
W
School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, BS8 1UG, Bristol, UK. w.gibson@bristol.ac.uk
D000351:Africa, Eastern; D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics*; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D016833:Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; C403774:serum resistance associated protein, Trypanosoma brucei