Human African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)—Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Purpose of Review Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to enhance our understanding of HAT and provide valuable insights to combat this significant public hea...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current tropical medicine reports 2023-12, Vol.10 (4), p.222-234
Main Authors: Ortiz-Martínez, Yeimer, Kouamé, Menan Gérard, Bongomin, Felix, Lakoh, Sulaiman, Henao-Martínez, Andrés F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral Sciences
Infectious Diseases
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Parasitology
Review
Topical Collection on CNS Infections in Tropical and Subtropical Settings
Tropical Medicine
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Summary:Purpose of Review Human African Trypanosomiasis (HAT), also known as sleeping sickness, is a vector-borne parasitic neglected tropical disease (NTD) endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. This review aims to enhance our understanding of HAT and provide valuable insights to combat this significant public health issue by synthesizing the latest research and evidence. Recent Findings HAT has reached a historical < 1000 cases in 2018. In patients without neurologic symptoms and signs, the likelihood of a severe meningoencephalitic stage is deemed low, obviating the need for a lumbar puncture to guide treatment decisions using fexinidazole. Summary Both forms of the disease, gambiense HAT (gHAT) and rhodesiense HAT (rHAT), have specific epidemiology, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment. Disease management still requires a high index of suspicion, infectious disease expertise, and specialized medical care. Essential stakeholders in health policy are critical to accomplishing the elimination goals of the NTD roadmap for 2021–2030.
ISSN:2196-3045
2196-3045
DOI:10.1007/s40475-023-00304-w