Lumbar puncture. Third World doctor carrying out a lumbar puncture on a woman. He will check the spinal fluid that drains into the sample tube he is holding for signs of the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma sp.,the cause of African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis). In a lumbar puncture,a hollow needle is inserted into the lower part of the spinal canal. Trypanosoma sp. are passed onto humans by infected blood-sucking tsetse flies,(Glossina sp.) when they feed. The protozoa infect the blood,lymph nodes,heart and brain causing a fever. Nervous system damage leads to lethargy and tremors. Without treatment,fatal heart or brain damage results. Photographed in Uganda | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Crump, A. / WHO / TDR |
Taille de l’image : | 3558 px × 5167 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |