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A microscopic organism which lives as a parasite in human blood. It is transmitted by the bite of insects such as the tsetse fly and causes sleeping sickness and other serious illnesses. A genus of parasitic protozoans that move by means of a long trailing flagellum and a thin wavy membrane, which project from the…

A drug which kills trypanosomes. An agent that kills trypanosomes and is therefore used to treat infestations caused by these parasites. The main trypanocides are arsenic-containing compounds. A substance or medication that kills trypanosomes.  

The main blood vessel in a fetus, which develops into the aorta and pulmonary artery. A main vessel or other tubular organ from which subsidiary branches arise.  

The cords in the larynx which can be brought together to make sounds as air passes between them. Lower folds of the larynx that produce sound by vibrating as air moves out of the lungs.  

One of the top seven pairs of ribs which are attached to the breastbone. The first seven pairs of curved bones that form the upper thoracic cage and are individually attached by cartilage to the sternum. Any of the seven upper ribs on each side with cartilages articulating directly with the sternum. The top seven…

A spasm in the muscles in the forearm when a tourniquet is applied to the upper arm, which causes the index and middle fingers to extend. It is a sign of latent tetany, showing that the blood contains too little calcium. [After Armand Trousseau (1801-67), French physician]. Carpal tetany elicited when the brachial or forearm…

A disorder or condition.  

A large area of infection which forms around a wound, found especially in tropical countries. A chronic, peeling sore due to unknown causes that is prevalent in wet, tropical regions. Tropical ulcers are moist, concave lesions that usually occur on the legs. Treatment usually consists of soap baths; over-the counter wound ointments; or, if the…

A branch of medicine which deals with tropical diseases. The study of diseases more commonly found in tropical regions than elsewhere, such as malaria, trypanosomiasis, schistosomiasis, and leishmaniasis. The diagnosis and. treatment of diseases that occur most commonly in tropical zones of the world. With the great increase in international travel, tropical diseases are appearing…

A disease which is found in tropical countries, e.g. malaria, dengue or Lassa fever. Technically, those diseases occurring in the area of the globe situated between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn: pertaining to the sun. They include many ‘exotic’ infections many of them parasitic in origin. However, disease in the tropics…