[Cutaneous lesions in human African trypanosomiasis]

We report the case histories of 12 patients infected by Trypanosoma gambiense seen between 1967 and 1979. The course of the disease follows two stages, with the lymphatic and hematologic stage preceding invasion of the central nervous system. The following cutaneous lesions were recorded: 5 patients had trypanomas or chancres which are inflammatory nodules on uncovered areas; 5 patients showed trypanosomal skin rashes with erythematous, infiltrated, transient and recurring trypanids; 5 patients had soft transient edema, affecting mainly the face; 3 patients experienced pruritus, which was usually mild and limited to small areas; 3 patients had cutaneous lesions induced by melarsoprol. Thus dermatologic features are common in human African trypanosomiasis; they were found in 75% of the patients in our department.