West African sleeping sickness

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

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While West African sleeping sickness is slowly progressive disease, CNS involvement occurs in 1-2 years and death usually occurs within 3 years but may be prolonged for up to 6-7 years.

AFRICAN TRYPANOSOMIASIS: A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE AT UNITED NATION MISSION IN LIBERIA - CASE REPORT