African trypanosomiasis, unspecified

This code represents an unconfirmed or unspecified diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. It indicates a parasitic infection caused by trypanosomes, transmitted by the tsetse fly, affecting the central nervous system in its later stages.

Use this code when African trypanosomiasis is suspected or diagnosed, but the specific type (e.g., Trypanosoma brucei gambiense or Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense) is not documented or definitively identified. This code is appropriate when the medical record only states "African trypanosomiasis" without further specification.

• Avoid using this code if the specific type of African trypanosomiasis is documented; instead, use the more specific codes B56.0 (Gambiense trypanosomiasis) or B56.1 (Rhodesiense trypanosomiasis).
• Ensure documentation clearly supports a diagnosis of African trypanosomiasis, even if the specific strain is unknown.
• Consider any associated manifestations or complications of the disease for additional coding, such as neurological involvement.