Congenital Trypanosomiasis in an 11-Year-Old Girl at the Brazzaville University Hospital

Abstract

Human African trypanosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease about to be eliminated as a public health problem. It afflicts rural populations, particularly adults engaged in hunting and fishing activities in endemic homes. Left untreated, the disease is 100% fatal in an array of dormant cachexia. Vertical transmission from mother to child is rare but proven. We report a case of Human African Trypanosomiasis in an 11-year-old girl who has never been to an endemic area and who has no other risk exposure factor apart from the fact she was born from mother who was affected by the disease and treated for 10 years during pregnancy. The diagnosis was made after the analysis of the LCS notifying 144 elements with the presence of numerous trypanosomes. The patient was classified into the second period and treated with NECT for 10 days.