Dermal trypanosomes in seropositive suspects of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis in Côte d’Ivoire

In the population at risk of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis (gHAT), the prevalence of extravascular parasite carriage remains unclear. Here, we conducted an observational clinical study in the hypo-endemic gHAT foci of Sinfra and Bonon in Côte d'Ivoire from 2019 to 2022. A total of 74 individuals were enrolled, including 45 suspects previously found positive at least once in a serological test for gHAT and followed by the national elimination programme of Côte d'Ivoire, as well as 29 seronegative controls. No significant differences between groups were observed for any epidemiological parameters and any clinical parameters at enrolment. Whereas trypanosome DNA was detected in the blood of 0/29 controls and 2/45 suspects, the presence of extravascular dermal trypanosomes was confirmed by immuno-histochemistry (fixed trypanosome cells) and/or PCR (trypanosome DNA) in about 1/3 of the suspects (14/45, 31%). However, no gambiense-specific test was found positive in the present study. Hence, the skin could represent an anatomical reservoir for African trypanosomes sustaining a low level of transmission in hypo-endemic foci.