title: Cutaneous manifestations of African trypanosomiasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatologists may evaluate patients with African trypanosomiasis. The currently available dermatologic literature does not review the cutaneous manifestations of African trypanosomiasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We describe an American man who acquired African trypanosomiasis while hunting in Tanzania, and we review and classify the cutaneous findings of this disease. This article reports the results of the first biopsy of a trypanid and depicts trypanosomes on the first touch preparation done from a trypanid biopsy specimen. Rare color photographs of trypanids are shown.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recognition of the unique cutaneous manifestations of African trypanosomiasis may allow dermatologists to make a rapid diagnosis that is essential for timely treatment and survival. Classifying the disease with primary chancriform, secondary hemolymphatic, and tertiary central nervous system stages should improve the understanding of the complex natural history of African trypanosomiasis.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Service, Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colo, USA.
authors.forename: T W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: McGovern
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cetron
authors.forename: B C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Hepburn
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gentry
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D016833:Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / Q000254:growth & development; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis