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Sleeping sickness

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Alternative Names:
African trypanosomiasis
Symptoms:
Signs and tests:
A physical examination may show signs of meningoencephalitis (inflammation of the brain and meninges).

Tests include the following:
  • Blood smear (demonstrates motile trypanosomes in blood)
  • Lymph node aspiration (demonstrates motile trypanosomes in node material)
  • CSF (demonstrates motile trypanosomes in cerebrospinal fluid)
  • Low red blood cell count in blood
  • Elevated globulin levels
  • Low albumin levels
  • Elevated ESR
  • Antibody and antigen test are not very helpful
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