Affiliation
Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland; Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Switzerland; Médecins Sans Frontières, Geneva, SwitzerlandIssue Date
2009-10-14Submitted date
2010-10-15
Metadata
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LancetAbstract
Human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) occurs in sub-Saharan Africa. It is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, transmitted by tsetse flies. Almost all cases are due to Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, which is indigenous to west and central Africa. Prevalence is strongly dependent on control measures, which are often neglected during periods of political instability, thus leading to resurgence. With fewer than 12 000 cases of this disabling and fatal disease reported per year, trypanosomiasis belongs to the most neglected tropical diseases. The clinical presentation is complex, and diagnosis and treatment difficult. The available drugs are old, complicated to administer, and can cause severe adverse reactions. New diagnostic methods and safe and effective drugs are urgently needed. Vector control, to reduce the number of flies in existing foci, needs to be organised on a pan-African basis. WHO has stated that if national control programmes, international organisations, research institutes, and philanthropic partners engage in concerted action, elimination of this disease might even be possible.PubMed ID
19833383Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
1474-547Xae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60829-1