Human African trypanosomiasis (HAT), or sleeping sickness, is a parasitic infection that almost invariably progresses to death unless treated. It caused devastating epidemics during the 20th century, but thanks to sustained and coordinated efforts over the past 20 years, the number of reported cases has fallen to historically low levels. HAT is a neglected tropical disease that occurs in sub-Saharan Africa, within the distributional limits of its vector, the tsetse fly.
The choice of treatment depends on the trypanosome sub-species (gambiense or rhodesiense) and the disease stage. Drugs for the treatment of first-stage disease will generally not cure second-stage disease. Conversely, the use of second-stage drugs is not justified in first-stage disease because they tend to be more toxic and complex to administer. This has changed to some extent after the introduction of fexinidazole in gambiense HAT.
WHO is convening a Guideline Development Group to develop the update of the WHO interim guidelines for the treatment of gambiense human African trypanosomiasis, released in 2019 with the addition of fexinidazole for rhodesiense HAT, and a specific framework for pentamidine also in rhodesiense HAT.
To form the Guideline Development Group, 14 experts were identified, with recognized work in the field of treatment of HAT and other pathologies, but also in public health related issues, from different institutions. This group includes experts from endemic countries working in the national control programmes and with experience in case management, as well as clinicians from non-endemic countries who manage exported cases.
The names and brief biographies of individuals being considered for participation in the Guideline Development Group are hereby provided for public notice and comment.
Comments and perceptions brought to the attention of WHO through this process are an integral component of WHO’s Conflicts of Interest assessment policy, so as to strengthen public trust and transparency in connection with WHO meetings involving the provision of technical/normative advice. Comments and perceptions will be carefully reviewed and treated confidentially. The comments will not be published and will be kept on record.
WHO reserves the right to discuss information received through this process with the relevant expert with no attribution to the provider of such information. Upon review and assessment of the information received through this process, WHO, in its sole discretion, may take appropriate management action in accordance with its policies.
The participation of an expert in a WHO meeting does not imply that the individual is endorsed or recommended by the Organization, nor does it create a binding relationship between the expert and WHO.
Comments should be provided by email, and the receipt of these will be acknowledged through generic email notification to the sender.
Please send your comment to neglected.diseases@who.int with the subject, “Comments on the Guideline Development Group – HAT therapeutic guideline”, indicating the name, nature and contact details of the sender.
The deadline for public comments is 22 December 2023.