Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology (Oct 2020)

Sleeping Sickness: A Tale of Two Clocks

  • Filipa Rijo-Ferreira,
  • Filipa Rijo-Ferreira,
  • Joseph S. Takahashi,
  • Joseph S. Takahashi

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2020.525097
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10

Abstract

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Sleeping sickness is caused by a eukaryotic unicellular parasite known to infect wild animals, cattle, and humans. It causes a fatal disease that disrupts many rhythmic physiological processes, including daily rhythms of hormonal secretion, temperature regulation, and sleep, all of which are under circadian (24-h) control. In this review, we summarize research on sleeping sickness parasite biology and the impact it has on host health. We also consider the possible evolutionary advantages of sleep and circadian deregulation for the parasite.

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