Gambian trypanosomiasis

Gam·bi·an try·pan·o·so·mi·a·sis

a chronic disease of humans caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in northern and sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal east to Sudan and Uganda; characterized by splenomegaly, drowsiness, an uncontrollable urge to sleep, and the development of psychotic changes; basal ganglia and cerebellar involvement commonly lead to chorea and athetosis; the terminal phase of the disease is characterized by wasting, anorexia, and emaciation that gradually leads to coma and death, usually from intercurrent infection.

Synonym(s): chronic African sleeping sickness, chronic trypanosomiasis, gambiense sleeping sickness, West African sleeping sickness, West African trypanosomiasis

Gambian trypanosomiasis

[gam′bē·ən]

a usually chronic form of African trypanosomiasis, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei gambiense. An infected individual may have relatively mild symptoms for months or years before developing the neurological symptoms of the terminal stage. Also called Trypanosoma brucei gambiense, West African sleeping sickness. Compare Rhodesian trypanosomiasis. See also African trypanosomiasis.

Gam·bi·an try·pa·no·so·mi·a·sis

(gam'bē-ăn trī-pan'ō-sō-mī'ă-sis)

A chronic disease of humans caused by Trypanosoma brucei gambiense in Africa; characterized by splenomegaly, drowsiness, an uncontrollable urge to sleep, and the development of psychotic changes; basal ganglia and cerebellar involvement commonly lead to chorea and athetosis; the terminal phase of the disease is characterized by wasting, anorexia, and emaciation that gradually lead to coma and death, usually from intercurrent infection.
Synonym(s): chronic trypanosomiasis.