Trypanosomatids and Plasmodia

These protozoa afflict approximately 500 million people per year, mostly in the tropics and subtropics. The resulting diseases cause disability, disfigurement, and in some cases death. Vaccines against these single cell organisms seem unlikely due to antigenic variation. Additionally, these protozoa promote drug resistance via multiple pathways. The drugs currently available to destroy these parasites are toxic to humans themselves. Overall, our problem with pathogenic protozoa is understudied; however, these issues are pertinent given the human toll.

Predicted Number of Parasite Genes