Zoonotic aspects
Among etiological
agents of NTTAT, Trypanosoma evansi
is, to now, the only potentially pathogenic to humans. The mode of transmission
is poorly investigated, despite some recent documented cases in Asia and
Africa. A lack of innate immune response of an Indian patient was demonstrated
in 2005 (ApoL1 non efficient du to a genetic mutation of the encoding human
gene), but not for the case evidenced in Viet Nam in 2016. Further
investigations are required. Unless T.
evansi could be transmitted accidently by inoculation of animal infected
blood (veterinarians must be informed of this latter point), the exposed
persons are cattle farmers, donkey or camel owners living in close contact with
animal infected by surra. The lack of knowledge of medical staff in Asia regarding
trypanosomes must be also taken in consideration: information/training of
concerned microbiologists and doctors are required. A sensitive and specific
serological test for humans is also required, as well as a systematic
declaration of suspected or reported case to the OIE NTTAT network, in close
relation-ship together with WHO for confirming diagnosis, case control and
suramin, the best drug used to cure atypical human trypanosomosis caused by T. evansi.
Contact
Dr Truc Philippe
Network on Atypical Human Infections by Animal Trypanosomes NAHIAT
UMR 177 INTERTRYP IRD CIRAD
Laboratoire de Recherches et de Coordination sur les Trypanosomoses
TA A-17 / G Campus international de Baillarguet
34 398 Montpellier cedex 5, France
email:[email protected]