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PLoS Pathogens Issue Image | Vol. 3(10) October 2007

African trypanosomes

Colorized scanning electron micrograph of African trypanosomes, which are transmitted by tsetse flies in Africa and cause human sleeping sickness. In the bloodstream, the trypanosomes evade the immune system by periodically switching their major surface protein. A trypanosome-encoded protease helps remove this protein when the trypanosomes are ingested by tsetse flies (See Grandgenett et al, e150.)

Image Credit: Image provided by Jared R. Helm and the University of Iowa Central Microscopy Research Facility.

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African trypanosomes

Colorized scanning electron micrograph of African trypanosomes, which are transmitted by tsetse flies in Africa and cause human sleeping sickness. In the bloodstream, the trypanosomes evade the immune system by periodically switching their major surface protein. A trypanosome-encoded protease helps remove this protein when the trypanosomes are ingested by tsetse flies (See Grandgenett et al, e150.)

Image Credit: Image provided by Jared R. Helm and the University of Iowa Central Microscopy Research Facility.

https://doi.org/10.1371/image.ppat.v03.i10.g001