Human African trypanosomiasis cases diagnosed in non-endemic countries (2011–2020)

Franco, José R.; Cecchi, Giuliano; Priotto, Gérardo; Paone, Massimo; Ebeja, Augustin Kadima; Diarra, Abdoulaye; Sankara, Dieudonné; Zhao, Weining; Dagne, Daniel Argaw

doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0010885

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…However, the possibility of these parasites being introduced by humans and/or domestic animals cannot be ruled out, whether they reside or temporarily stay inside or outside the base. This may be particularly relevant for military personnel who may be exposed during their stays in HAT endemic areas in Africa [ 23 ], or domestic pigs suspected of serving as reservoirs for human and animal trypanosomes in Côte d’Ivoire [ 44 , 56 , 60 ]. Therefore, the risk of transmission cannot be excluded within and between these two areas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tsetse fly ecology and risk of transmission of African trypanosomes related to a protected forest area at a military base in the city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Konan,

Berté,

et al. 2023

Parasite

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African trypanosomoses, whose pathogens are transmitted by tsetse flies, are a threat to animal and human health. Tsetse flies observed at the military base of the French Forces in Côte d’Ivoire (FFCI base) were probably involved in the infection and death of military working dogs. Entomological and parasitological surveys were carried out during the rainy and dry seasons using “Vavoua” traps to identify tsetse fly species, their distribution, favorable biotopes and food sources, as well as the trypanosomes they harbor. A total of 1185 Glossina palpalis palpalis tsetse flies were caught, corresponding to a high average apparent density of 2.26 tsetse/trap/day. The results showed a heterogeneous distribution of tsetse at the FFCI base, linked to more or less favorable biotopes. No significant variation in tsetse densities was observed according to the season. The overall trypanosomes infection rate according to microscopic observation was 13.5%. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses confirmed the presence of Trypanosoma vivax and T. congolense forest type, responsible for African animal trypanosomosis. Our findings suggest that there is a risk of introduction and transmission of T. brucei gambiense, responsible for human African trypanosomiasis, on the study site. This risk of transmission of African trypanosomes concerns not only the FFCI base, but also inhabited peripheral areas. Our study confirmed the need for vector control adapted to the eco-epidemiological context of the FFCI base.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tsetse fly ecology and risk of transmission of African trypanosomes related to a protected forest area at a military base in the city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Konan,

Berté,

et al. 2023

Parasite

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“…The reported figures are subsequently validated by WHO in consultation with the reporting sources [ 4 ]. Cases detected in and reported from non-endemic countries are included in the tally of the probable country of infection [ 8 , 9 ]. These data are made publicly available through the WHO Global Health Observatory ( www.who.int/data/gho ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…rhodesiense , is found in eastern and southern Africa [ 2 , 5 , 7 ]. HAT cases can also be detected outside the endemic countries among travellers, tourists and migrants having visited or coming from sub-Saharan Africa [ 8 , 9 ]. The gambiense form is responsible for the vast majority of reported cases [ 10 , 11 ], and it is considered mainly anthroponotic with humans as the main reservoir.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The elimination of human African trypanosomiasis: Monitoring progress towards the 2021–2030 WHO road map targets

Franco,

Priotto,

Paone

et al. 2024

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Background Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is a neglected tropical disease that usually occurs in rural areas in sub-Saharan Africa. It caused devastating epidemics during the 20th century. Sustained, coordinated efforts by different stakeholders working with national sleeping sickness control programmes (NSSCPs) succeeded in controlling the disease and reducing the number of cases to historically low levels. In 2012, WHO targeted the elimination of the disease as a public health problem by 2020. This goal has been reached and a new ambitious target was stated in the WHO road map for NTDs 2021–2030 and endorsed by the 73rd World Health Assembly: the elimination of gambiense HAT transmission (i.e. reducing the number of reported cases to zero). The interruption of transmission was not considered as an achievable goal for rhodesiense HAT, as it would require vast veterinary interventions rather than actions at the public health level. Methodology/principal findings Data reported to WHO by NSSCPs were harmonized, verified, georeferenced and included in the atlas of HAT. A total of 802 cases were reported in 2021 and 837 in 2022. This is below the target for elimination as a public health problem at the global level (< 2000 HAT cases/year); 94% of the cases were caused by infection with T. b. gambiense. The areas reporting ≥ 1 HAT case/10 000 inhabitants/year in 2018–2022 cover a surface of 73 134 km2, with only 3013 km2 at very high or high risk. This represents a reduction of 90% from the baseline figure for 2000–2004, the target set for the elimination of HAT as a public health problem. For the surveillance of the disease, 4.5 million people were screened for gambiense HAT with serological tests in 2021–2022, 3.6 million through active screening and 0.9 million by passive screening. In 2021 and 2022 the elimination of HAT as a public health problem was validated in Benin, Uganda, Equatorial Guinea and Ghana for gambiense HAT and in Rwanda for rhodesiense HAT. To reach the next goal of elimination of transmission of gambiense HAT, countries have to report zero cases of human infection with T. b. gambiense for a period of at least 5 consecutive years. The criteria and procedures to verify elimination of transmission have been recently published by WHO. Conclusions/significance HAT elimination as a public health problem has been reached at global level, with seven countries already validated as having reached this goal. This achievement was made possible by the work of NSSCPs, supported by different public and private partners, and coordinated by WHO. The new challenging goal now is to reach zero cases by 2030. To reach this goal is crucial to maintain the engagement and support of donors and stakeholders and to keep the involvement and coordination of all partners. Along with the focus on elimination of transmission of gambiense HAT, it is important not to neglect rhodesiense HAT, which is targeted for elimination as a public health problem in the WHO road map for NTDs 2021–2030.

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“…HAT is caused by either Trypanosoma brucei gambiense (accounting for over 95–97% of the cases) or Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (accounting for the remainder of the cases) 1 , 3 . HAT is classified as a neglected tropical disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) 4 – 6 , exhibiting high morbidity and mortality rates, affecting millions of impoverished populations in the developing world, displaying a limited response to chemotherapy, and showing unresponsiveness towards vaccination.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Q586B2 is a crucial virulence factor during the early stages of Trypanosoma brucei infection that is conserved amongst trypanosomatids

Stijlemans,

De Baetselier,

Van Molle

et al. 2024

Nat Commun

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Human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei, is characterized by the manipulation of the host’s immune response to ensure parasite invasion and persistence. Uncovering key molecules that support parasite establishment is a prerequisite to interfere with this process. We identified Q586B2 as a T. brucei protein that induces IL-10 in myeloid cells, which promotes parasite infection invasiveness. Q586B2 is expressed during all T. brucei life stages and is conserved in all Trypanosomatidae. Deleting the Q586B2-encoding Tb927.6.4140 gene in T. brucei results in a decreased peak parasitemia and prolonged survival, without affecting parasite fitness in vitro, yet promoting short stumpy differentiation in vivo. Accordingly, neutralization of Q586B2 with newly generated nanobodies could hamper myeloid-derived IL-10 production and reduce parasitemia. In addition, immunization with Q586B2 delays mortality upon a challenge with various trypanosomes, including Trypanosoma cruzi. Collectively, we uncovered a conserved protein playing an important regulatory role in Trypanosomatid infection establishment.

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Human African trypanosomiasis cases diagnosed in non-endemic countries (2011–2020)

Cited by 14 publications

References 66 publications

Tsetse fly ecology and risk of transmission of African trypanosomes related to a protected forest area at a military base in the city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

Tsetse fly ecology and risk of transmission of African trypanosomes related to a protected forest area at a military base in the city of Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

The elimination of human African trypanosomiasis: Monitoring progress towards the 2021–2030 WHO road map targets

Q586B2 is a crucial virulence factor during the early stages of Trypanosoma brucei infection that is conserved amongst trypanosomatids

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