Human African Trypanosomiasis in Burkina Faso from 2005 to 2011: Epidemiological, Clinical, Paralytic, Therapeutic and Evolutive Aspects

Purpose: The Goal of this study is to describe the aspects socio-demographic, clinical, diagnostic, therapeutic and evolutionary of African human trypanosomiasis (HAT) cases detected in Burkina-Faso from 2005 to 2011 in the context of major migratory phenomena of populations between Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast: A country where the disease is endemic. Methodology: This is a descriptive retrospective study of patients with suspected clinical signs of human African trypanosomiasis (January 2005 to December 2011). The Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomosis (CATT) was performed in first intention when available; it is completed parasitological tests for confirmation of cases.Data collection was based on laboratory consultation records and clinical case records. The management and analysis of the data was carried out using the software Epi info version 3.5. Results: A total of 26 suspected cases of African human trypanosomiasis were recorded from 2005 to 2011. The mean age of the patients was 25 ± 10.3 years. The majority were males (88.5%) and most worked in the cocoa fields (76.9%). The notion of stay abroad was found in 73% of cases, mainly in Cote du0027Ivoire. At clinical level, clinical signs were somnolence and hypersomnia (34.6%), lymphadenopathy (23.1%), weight loss, pruritus and mood disorders (15.4% for each). Only one patient presented a trypanide. At Para-clinical level, fifteen (15) cases were confirmed by sero-parasitological examinations of the 26-suspected cases collected, a prevalence of trypanosomiasis cases of 57.6%. Most of the confirmed cases in Phase 2 were treated with Difluoro-Methyl Ornithine (DFMO) (69.2%). The death occurred in 26.5% of cases. Conclusion: In Burkina Faso, human African trypanosomiasis remains relevant with the existence of imported cases. The efficient fight against this disease will go through strengthening the monitoring system and the technical platform of care.