Confirmation of Trypanosome Parasitaemia in Previously Serologically Positive Individuals in the Abraka Area of Delta State, Nigeria

This study was conducted to follow-up trypanosome serologically positive individuals, with the aim of confirming the presence of trypanosome parasitaemia in them over the study period of 12 months. The study was carried out at the Eku Baptist medical centre Abraka, Delta State between June 2002 and May 2003.
Confirmation was by the detection of trypanosomes in blood, lymph node glands and cerebrospinal fluid microscopy. Of the booked population (n=128), 82 (64.1%) were studied, 46 (35.9%) lost to follow-up. Of the studied 82 cases, 14 (17.1%) were confirmed as having sleeping sickness, 40(48.8%) remained unconfirmed cases while 28(34.1%) seroconverted and were discharged from follow up. Of the 14(17.1%) confirmed cases, 9(64.3%) were confirmed in the last six months of the 12 months period of follow-up, compared to 5(35.7%) in the first six months (X² = 4.5, df = 1, P = 0.04).Long-term monitoring of serosuspects is essential in this endemic area for arresting transmission of the disease and prevention of associated morbidities and mortalities.

Keywords
Gambiense sleeping sickness, serosuspects, reservoirs for infection, follow up, Nigeria.