African trypanosomiasis

African trypanosomiasis is a human parasitic infection caused by bloodstream protozoan parasites, specifically Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, which are responsible for sleeping sickness ^[1][3]. The infection involves mammalian hosts, including humans, and persistence of infection is described as important for parasite transmission between hosts ^[3]. Available source-backed information does not provide additional disease subtyping or staging detail beyond these etiologic features ^[1][3].

The condition is described as a sleeping sickness syndrome and is reported to almost invariably progress to death unless treated ^[2]. Pathology is said to result mainly from inflammation and to include anemia and brain dysfunction ^[3]. The source also notes loss of specificity and memory of the antibody response as part of the infection-associated pathology ^[3]. No further source-backed detail is available here on symptom chronology, stage-specific manifestations, or complication frequency ^[1][3][2].

Human African trypanosomiasis has been endemic in parts of sub-Saharan Africa and is described as a considerable burden on rural communities, most notably in central Africa ^[2]. The disease caused devastating epidemics during the 20th century, but sustained coordinated efforts have reduced reported cases to a historically low level, with fewer than 3000 cases reported in 2015 in one cited summary ^[2]. The literature cited here states that elimination of human African trypanosomiasis as a public health problem has been achieved, while elimination of gambiense transmission is targeted for 2030 ^[1]. Reports from non-endemic countries also occur, particularly among travellers, tourists, migrants, and expatriates who have visited or lived in endemic areas ^[2].

Transmission occurs through tsetse flies in sub-Saharan Africa ^[1]. The sources further indicate that long-lasting infection favors parasite transmission between hosts, but they do not provide additional route-specific detail beyond vector-borne exposure ^[3]. No source-backed detail is available here on relative transmission intensity by setting or on non-vector routes ^[1][3].

Source-backed risk groups explicitly mentioned in the available material include people living in endemic rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in central Africa, and travellers, tourists, migrants, and expatriates who have visited or lived in endemic areas ^[2]. The sources also note that populations at risk, health staff, national authorities, and partners and donors are important to elimination efforts, but they do not further stratify biologic or occupational risk ^[1].

Control is based on case detection, treatment, and vector control ^[1][2]. The cited literature notes that rapid diagnostic tests have been introduced for gambiense human African trypanosomiasis, facilitating screening in primary health-care facilities, and that tiny target-based vector control has contributed in some areas to reduced incidence ^[1]. The sources do not provide vaccine-based prevention, and one review explicitly notes the absence of a vaccine ^[2].

In surveillance terms, African trypanosomiasis should be read as a largely controlled but still regionally endemic vector-borne parasitic disease with historically severe epidemic potential ^[1][2]. Recent monitoring should account for declining reported incidence, ongoing rural burden in parts of central Africa, and the possibility of imported cases in non-endemic countries ^[2]. Source-backed detail is not yet available on routine case definitions, reporting intervals, or laboratory confirmation algorithms beyond the mention of rapid diagnostic tests for gambiense disease ^[1][2].

1. 1 Lejon V et al. Human African trypanosomiasis. Lancet. 2025 Mar 15. PMID: 40089378. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(25)00107-2. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40089378/
2. 2 Büscher P et al. Human African trypanosomiasis. Lancet. 2017 Nov 25. PMID: 28673422. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(17)31510-6. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28673422/
3. 3 Pays E et al. The Pathogenesis of African Trypanosomiasis. Annu Rev Pathol. 2023 Jan 24. PMID: 36055769. doi: 10.1146/annurev-pathmechdis-031621-025153. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36055769/
4. 4 Trypanosomiasis: African Trypanosomiasis. Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology. 2020. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-8678-7_300357. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8678-7_300357
5. 5 African trypanosomiasis. Infectious Diseases. 2010. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-323-04579-7.00105-2. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-04579-7.00105-2
6. 6 African Trypanosomiasis. Topley & Wilson's Microbiology and Microbial Infections. 2010. doi: 10.1002/9780470688618.taw0183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470688618.taw0183

ICD-10

B56

ICD-11

1F52

Total cases

0

Peak month

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Coverage

0 reporting countries · —