infectious diseases
African Trypanosomiasis
Key Points
African trypanosomiasis is caused byTrypanosoma brucei gambiensein West and Central Africa and byT. b. rhodesiensein East Africa; tsetse flies are the main vector. There are 3 stages of disease: cutaneous, hemolymphatic, and CNS (sleeping sickness). Diagnose using light microscopy of blood (thin or thick smears) or another fluid sample. Treatment of African trypanosomiasis varies by species and stage of disease. Without CNS involvement, usefexinidazoleor, alternatively,pentamidineforT. b. gambienseand suramin forT. b. rhodesiense. With CNS involvement, usefexinidazolefor nonsevereT. b. gambiense;eflornithine(if available) alone or in combination withnifurtimox, or melarsoprol (ifeflornithineis not available) for severeT. b. gambiense; and melarsoprol forT. b. rhodesiense. 