Human trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma evansi in India: the first case report.

Abstract

We report an Indian farmer who had fluctuating trypanosome parasitemia associated with febrile episodes for five months. Morphologic examination of the parasites indicated the presence of large numbers of trypanosomes belonging to the species Trypanosoma evansi, which is normally a causative agent of animal trypanosomiasis known as surra. Basic clinical and biologic examinations are described, using several assays, including parasitologic, serologic, and molecular biologic tests, all of which confirmed the infecting species as T. evansi. Analysis of cerebrospinal fluid indicated no invasion of the central nervous system (CNS) by trypanosomes. Suramin, a drug used exclusively for treatment of early-stage human African trypanosomiasis with no CNS involvement, effected apparent cure in the patient. This is the first case reported of human infection due to Trypanosoma evansi, which was probably caused by transmission of blood from an infected animal.

• Authors: Prashant P Joshi, Vijay R Shegokar, Rajaram M Powar, Stephane Herder, Rahul Katti, Harsha R Salkar, Vibhawari S Dani, Aradhana Bhargava, Jean Jannin, Philippe Truc
• Journal: The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene (Am J Trop Med Hyg) Vol. 73 Issue 3 Pg. 491-5 (Sep 2005) ISSN: 0002-9637 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16172469 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Trypanocidal Agents
• Suramin

Topics

• Animals
• Humans
• India (epidemiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Suramin (therapeutic use)
• Trypanocidal Agents (therapeutic use)
• Trypanosoma (classification, isolation & purification)
• Trypanosomiasis (drug therapy, epidemiology, parasitology)