[Human African trypanosomiasis and normality of the cerebrospinal fluid]

The authors have reviewed their experience with a combination of pentamidine and suramin for Trypanosoma Brucei - Gambiense trypanosomiasis, in order to determine the limit of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) normality. Among 341 patients with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showing 1-3 white blood cells/millilitre treated with this combination of drugs, there were 30 relapses (8.8%); among 66 patients with a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showing 4-5 white blood cells/millilitre, they found 9 relapses (13.6%). This difference was not statistically significant. Therefore, combination of pentamidine- was not statistically significant. Therefore, a combination of pentamidine/suramin remains an acceptable treatment for Trypanosoma brucei-gambiense sleeping sickness patients having 1-5 white blood cells/millilitre in their cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).