African trypanosomiasis in the United States

African trypanosomiasis of the Rhodesian variety occurred in an American who recently traveled to Tanzania. Skin findings included a fluctuant, indurated, tsetse-fly bite site (chancre) and a fleeting, erythematous, macular eruption. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of the organism in peripheral blood smears. The patient's condition responded to intravenous suramin. African trypanosomiasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients who have visited areas where this disease is endemic, and in whom the appropriate skin findings are present.