title: Rhodesian trypanosomiasis in a splenectomized patient.
abstract: We report the first apparent case of a splenectomized individual who developed severe trypanosomiasis with central nervous system involvement. The patient was a 41-year-old man who participated in an east African safari. Upon his return to the United States, the patient presented with an infection with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense that was treated successfully with suramin and melarsoprol. The onset of symptoms, laboratory studies, and disease progression did not differ from previously reported cases in the literature. The role of the spleen in trypanosomiasis is not well understood and the few reports available describe only animal models. This report suggests that asplenia had no apparent effect on the onset of symptoms and overall severity of illness. Further studies are necessary to ultimately define the role of the spleen in trypanosomiasis.
authors.affiliation: Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska 68178, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Malesker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Boken
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Ruma
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Vuchetich
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008549:Melarsoprol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013156:Splenectomy; D013498:Suramin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014195:Travel; D014344:Trypanocidal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016833:Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D014344:Trypanocidal Agents; D013498:Suramin; D008549:Melarsoprol