African sleeping sickness in The Netherlands
Otte, J.A.; Nouwen, J.L.; Wismans, P.J.; Beukers, R.; Vroon, H.J.; Stuiver, P.C.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde 139(41): 2100-2104
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-2162 PMID: 7477570 Document Number: 453143
Two cases of human African trypanosomiasis are reported from the Netherlands: a Cameroonian woman resident in the Netherlands for 2 years with West African-type sleeping sickness (Trypanosoma gambiense), and a Dutch tourist who acquired East African-type sleeping sickness (T. rhodesiense) while travelling through Zimbabwe. Although the parasites are morphologically identical, their clinical and epidemiological characteristics are different. The former is rarely observed in Europeans and the disease runs a chronic course. Differential diagnosis is difficult. The East African variety runs an acute course in Europeans and rapid diagnosis is essential as it can be fatal within days due to myocarditis. Both patients recovered after specific therapy.