Electrocardiographic changes in African trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense

The electrocardiographic findings in 40 patients with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense infection are reported. Using rigid diagnostic criteria 7 out of 18 patients (39%) had abnormal electrocardiograms before any form of therapy and 22 of the 40 patients (55%) had abnormal electrocardiograms at some stage of the disease or its treatment. The electrocardiographic abnormalities are described and discussed and the literature is reviewed.