Which drug is used to treat early-stage African Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)?

• A. Suramin
• B. Melarsoprol
• C. Eflornithine
• D. Pentamidine

Answer: (A)

Early-stage African sleeping sickness means the parasite is in the blood and lymph, not yet in the brain. The drug chosen for this stage needs to act in the peripheral circulation and not cross into the central nervous system. Suramin fits this role well: it effectively clears parasites from the bloodstream when the disease is in the early phase and has poor penetration into the brain, so it won’t treat CNS involvement. When the parasite has invaded the CNS, drugs that can cross the blood–brain barrier, like melarsoprol or eflornithine, are required. In short, suramin is the classic option for treating the disease before CNS invasion, which is why it’s the best answer for early-stage sleeping sickness.