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		Fact sheet No 259: African Trypanosomiasis or Sleeping Sickness - March 2001 (WHO, 2001, 4 p.)
			(introduction...)
			Definition of the disease
			Animal trypanosomiasis
			Major epidemics
			The Geographical distribution of the disease
			Infection and symptoms
			Case management
			Treatment
			First phase treatments
			Second phase treatments
			The Role of the World Health Organization

First phase treatments

· Suramine: discovered in 1921, it is used in treatment of the initial phase of T.b. rhodesiense. There are certain undesirable effects, especially on the digestive tract.

· Pentamidine: discovered in 1941, it is used in treatment of the initial phase of T.b. gambiense sleeping sickness. In spite of a few undesirable effects, it is well tolerated by patients. Future production is guaranteed by an agreement between WHO and Aventis.