African trypanosomiasis natural history, complications and prognosis

If left untreated, the patient will develop symptoms of progressive mental deterioration, which are irreversible and will eventually lead to death. 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%.^[1][2]

If African trypanosomiasis is left untreated, the patient will develop symptoms of progressive mental deterioration, which is irreversible and will eventually lead to death.

Common complications that can develop as a result of African trypanosomiasis include:^[1][2]

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

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. Without treatment, the mortality rate of African sleeping sickness is close to 100%.^[1][2]