Orchitis as an unusual manifestation of human African trypanosomiasis

J Infect. 2006 Jan;52(1):e31-3. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2005.04.018. Epub 2005 Jun 3.

Abstract

African trypanosomiasis is a re-emerging disease. We report the case of an African patient whose predominant symptom was infertility due to a granulomatous orchitis. The patient was afebrile and had not been in Africa for years. Lymphadenopathy and splenomegaly led us eventually to the diagnosis of sleeping sickness. After treatment with suramin his spermiogram returned to normal. Sleeping sickness evolves through clinically different stages and leads to death if left untreated. The disease may, however, present clinically extremely variable and may thus be difficult to diagnose.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Orchitis / diagnosis*
  • Orchitis / drug therapy
  • Orchitis / parasitology*
  • Suramin / therapeutic use
  • Trypanocidal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / diagnosis*
  • Trypanosomiasis, African / drug therapy

Substances

  • Trypanocidal Agents
  • Suramin