What is the treatment for rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis in patients aged ≥ 6 years and body weight ≥ 20 kg?

Clinical Scenario

This protocol addresses rhodesiense human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) in patients who meet both of the following criteria:

Age ≥ 6 years
Body weight ≥ 20 kg

Fexinidazole is the first-choice treatment in rhodesiense HAT patients in this age and weight group. The protocol below applies when staging is required to guide treatment selection.

Treatment Approach — Partial Overview

Staging via lumbar puncture is required before treatment. The choice of intravenous therapy depends on whether first-stage or second-stage disease is confirmed — the two stages call for different agents and approaches.

Full regimen details, dosing schedules, and staging criteria are available in the complete protocol.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

Fexinidazole is the first-choice treatment in rhodesiense HAT patients aged ≥ 6 years and body weight ≥ 20 kg.

If a patient relapses after treatment with fexinidazole, then a lumbar puncture is needed for staging, and suramin or melarsoprol should be given according to stage.

View source ↗