Human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness is caused by infection with the morphologically indistinguishable subspecies Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (in East and Southern Africa) and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (in West and Central Africa). The disease is presently almost under control and less than 4000 cases are currently reported. In both, T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense infection, after the injection of infective metacyclic trypanosomes with tsetse fly vector saliva, the parasites establish in the skin, differentiate to the bloodstream stage and spread via the local draining lymph node into the vascular system. In this book, Chapter One presents an overview of the current epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment options. Chapter Two provides an in-depth review of diagnostic methods for African trypanosomiasis. Chapter Three discusses the use of aminoadamantane derivatives against Trypanosoma brucei.

Human African Trypaniosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is an old disease to be now considered as reemergent. HAT is endemic in 36 sub-Saharan African countries, in areas where tsetse flies are found. The public health importance of HAT is underestimated, but the disease causes severe social disruption in many rural areas. Along the past fifteen years, numerous studies were made, and now, the mechanisms involved in the disease pathogenesis and in the characteristics of sleep-wake disruption become to be better understood. But, since 50 years, when current drugs were introduced, problems regarding HAT chemotherapy have not been solved. Nevertheless, in-depth studies about trypanosome metabolism have permitted to discover new drug targets. Written by specialists who are very experienced in their respective fields, the contributions provide an indispensable tool for practitioners and scientists.

Describes the two main types of trypanosomiasis, how and where it is spread, as well as its treatment.

This new volume written by experts in the field of trypanosome research covers every aspect of trypanosome-vector-host biology. It is a must read for basic researchers working with trypanosomes and related organisms, infection and drug development as well as parasitology in a broader sense. ​

Contracting is a tool that is playing an increasing role in many health systems. Although contracting has the potential to add benefits to health systems it also adds further complexity. Following a substantial health sector reform and the introduction of a purchaser-provider split contracting became a central part of the management of New Zealand's publicly funded health system during the period 1993 to 2000. This publication examines a number of different aspects of New Zealand's experience of using contracts in the health sector including the contracting process contract content and form purchaser-provider relationships including sources of tension and factors that alleviated tensions and issues related to monitoring and accountability. This publication may assist other countries that are using or are planning to use contracts within their health systems.