Publications des scientifiques de l'IRD

Kone M., N'Gouan E. K., Kaba D., Koffi M., Kouakou L., N'Dri L., Kouame C. M., Nanan V. K., Tape G. A., Coulibaly B., Courtin Fabrice, Ahouty B., Djohan V., Bucheton Bruno, Solano Philippe, Buscher P., Lejon Veerle, Jamonneau Vincent. (2020). The complex health seeking pathway of a human African trypanosomiasis patient in Cote d'Ivoire underlines the need of setting up passive surveillance systems. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 14 (9), p. e0008588 [14p.]. ISSN 1935-2735.

Titre du document
The complex health seeking pathway of a human African trypanosomiasis patient in Cote d'Ivoire underlines the need of setting up passive surveillance systems
Année de publication
2020
Type de document
Article référencé dans le Web of Science WOS:000573044500004
Auteurs
Kone M., N'Gouan E. K., Kaba D., Koffi M., Kouakou L., N'Dri L., Kouame C. M., Nanan V. K., Tape G. A., Coulibaly B., Courtin Fabrice, Ahouty B., Djohan V., Bucheton Bruno, Solano Philippe, Buscher P., Lejon Veerle, Jamonneau Vincent
Source
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 2020, 14 (9), p. e0008588 [14p.] ISSN 1935-2735
Background Significant efforts to control human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) over the two past decades have resulted in drastic decrease of its prevalence in Cote d'Ivoire. In this context, passive surveillance, integrated in the national health system and based on clinical suspicion, was reinforced. We describe here the health-seeking pathway of a girl who was the first HAT patient diagnosed through this strategy in August 2017. Methods After definitive diagnosis of this patient, epidemiological investigations were carried out into the clinical evolution and the health and therapeutic itinerary of the patient before diagnosis. Results At the time of diagnosis, the patient was positive in both serological and molecular tests and trypanosomes were detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. She suffered from important neurological disorders. The first disease symptoms had appeared three years earlier, and the patient had visited several public and private peripheral health care centres and hospitals in different cities. The failure to diagnose HAT for such a long time caused significant health deterioration and was an important financial burden for the family. Conclusion This description illustrates the complexity of detecting the last HAT cases due to complex diagnosis and the progressive disinterest and unawareness by both health professionals and the population. It confirms the need of implementing passive surveillance in combination with continued sensitization and health staff training. Author summary Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) or sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease caused byTrypanosoma bruceithat is transmitted by tsetse flies. In 2012, HAT was included in the World Health Organization roadmap for the control of neglected tropical diseases with the objective of elimination as a public health problem by 2020. In Cote d'Ivoire, HAT prevalence has dropped sharply the last decade. A passive HAT surveillance was therefore integrated in the national health system, which allowed to detect a first patient in 2017. This article describes the complex health seeking pathway and suffering before diagnosis of this patient, an 11 years old girl, and illustrates the challenge when health agents and population no longer consider HAT as a threat in an elimination context. Our results show the need to install a solid surveillance system, in combination with continued sensitization and repeated health staff training.
Plan de classement
Santé : généralités [050] ; Entomologie médicale / Parasitologie / Virologie [052]
Description Géographique
COTE D'IVOIRE
Localisation
Fonds IRD [F B010079763]
Identifiant IRD
fdi:010079763
Contact