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 ; Aditya Ganti M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

Without treatment, the disease is fatal and death may occur within 6 months from cardiac failure or from the infection itself. It alsop leads to progressive mental deterioration leading to coma and death. Damage caused in the neurological phase is irreversible. Common complications that can develop as a result of African trypanosomiasis include anemia, aspiration pneumonia, meningoencephalitis, seizures, coma, perinatal death or abortion (congenital infection). The prognosis of African trypanosomiasis is good with treatment. Without treatment, the mortality rate of African sleeping sickness is close to 100%.

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

Common complications that can develop as a result of African trypanosomiasis include

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

Prognosis

The prognosis of African trypanosomiasis is good with treatment. Symptoms in both early- and late-stage trypanosomiasis often resolve along with negative parasitemia on repeat blood smears after treatment. The presence of mental status changes and focal neurological deficits is associated with a particularly poor prognosis among patients with African trypanosomiasis. When left untreated, the mortality rate of African sleeping sickness is close to 100%.