Tropical disease

From ArticleWorld

Tropical diseases originally occur at the tropics, but they often spread to other regions as well. However, they remain more widespread in tropical regions, and more difficult to control.

Infections by pathogens causing tropical diseases is becoming more common with the development of air travel, since the tropical areas are more accessible.

The ten most common tropical diseases are:

• African trypanosomiasis, a disease caused by a protozoa transmitted by the tsetse fly. It is known as the sleeping sickness and still endemic in some sub-Saharan regions. It can cause severe mental deterioration and irreversible neurological damage.

• Dengue fever, an infectious disease caused by the a few Flavivirus serotypes, transmitted by some mosquito species. It causes high fever and, in more severe cases, hemorrhagy and dengue shock syndrome.

• Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by some parasites transmitted by certain species of sand fly. It causes skin sores which erupt after some time, and can damage the spleen and liver.

• Malaria, also known as marsh fever, is caused by a protozoan parasite transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito. It causes high fever, vomiting, convulsions and can lead to various complications and even death.

• Schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is a dangerous disease, having a low mortality rate but leaving serious sequels. It causes fever, fatigue and other mild symptoms, but it can also cause damage to the central nervous system.

• Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is a severe pulmonary disease, but it can also affect other systems of the body. It is the most common infectious disease today, infecting about two billion people, which is one third of the world's population.

• Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) is a disease caused by the Trypanosoma cruzi, transmitted by various insects. It causes local lesions, but it can also cause complications that include fever, lymphadenopathy, myocarditis and damage to the nervous system and heart.

• Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is caused by the Mycobacterium leprae, affecting the peripheral nervous system. It is associated with severe physical damage.

• Filariasis is a parasitic tropical disease, caused by a number of worms transmitted by mosquitoes. It is very uncommon in Western countries.

• Onchocerciasis (river blindness) is caused by Onchocerca volvulus, a parasitic worm that causes progressive blindness.