Trypanosomiasis

Question 1

What type of organism is Trypanosomiasis

Answer 1

Protozoa

Question 2

2 types of trypanosomiasis

Answer 2

African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas’ disease)

Question 3

Clinical features of African trypanosomiasis

Answer 3

• Trypanosoma chancre
• intermittent fever
• posterior cervical lymph nodes

later:
- CNS involvement
=> headaches, mood changes, meningoencephalitis

Question 4

Management of African trypanosomiasis

Answer 4

Early disease:
- IV pentamidine or suramin

Late disease or CNS involvement:
- IV melarsoprol

Question 5

Symptoms in acute phase of american trypanosomiasis (Chagas)

Answer 5

• some asymptomatic
• chagoma (an erythematous nodule at site of infection)
• periorbital oedema

Question 6

Symptoms of chronic chagas disease

Answer 6

• myocarditis
  => may lead to dilated cardiomyopathy + arrhythmias
• megaoesophagus + megacolon => causing dysphagia and constipation

Question 7

Management of chagas disease

Answer 7

Treatment most effective in the acute phase
-azoles or nitroderivatives (benznidazole or nifurtimox)

chronic disease mx:
- Tx the complications e.g. heart failure