Rhodesian trypanosomiasis in a splenectomized patient

We report the first apparent case of a splenectomized individual who develo ped severe trypanosomiasis with central nervous system involvement. The pat ient 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 w ith Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense that was treated successfully with suram in 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 trypannosomiasis is not well understood and the few reports available describe only animal models. This report suggests th at asplenia had no apparent effect on the onset of symptoms and overall sev erity of illness. Further studies rue necessary to ultimately define the ro le of the spleen in trypanosomiasis.