African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Pilar Almonacid

Natural History

Without treatment, the disease is fatal, with progressive mental deterioration leading to coma and death. Damage caused in the neurological phase is irreversible.

Complications

Complications of African trypanosomiasis include

• Anemia
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Meningoencephalitis
• Seizures
• Coma
• Perinatal death or abortion (congenital infection)

Prognosis

Without treatment, death may occur within 6 months from cardiac failure or from rhodesiense infection itself. Gambiense infection causes the classic "sleeping sickness" disease and gets worse more quickly, often over a few weeks. Both diseases should be treated immediately.