Trypanosomiasis

Key points

• Two main form of this protozoal disease are recognised - African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) Two forms of African trypanosomiasis, or sleeping sickness,
• Trypanosoma chancre - painless subcutaneous nodule at site of infection
• intermittent fever
• enlargement of posterior cervical lymph nodes
• later: central nervous system involvement e.g. somnolence, headaches, mood changes, meningoencephalitis Management