Blood proteins in African trypanosomiasis: variations and statistical interpretations
Cailliez, M.; Poupin, F.; Pages, J.P.; Savel, J.
Comptes Rendus des Seances de la Societe de Biologie et de ses Filiales 176(5): 633-642
1982
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-9026 PMID: 6220765 Document Number: 185244
Orosomucoid, haptoglobulin, C-reactive protein and immunoglobulin levels were determined in 152 sera from patients with trypanosomiasis from Francophone Africa (Trypanosoma brucei gambiense and 2 cases with T. brucei rhodesiense) at different stages of the disease, in sera from 100 Europeans (to establish the norm in subjects never having been exposed to infection), in 121 sera from Africans and Europeans with various other infections and 21 sera from non-parasitized Africans. In comparison to the last 2 groups, the protein profile in trypanosomiasis was characterized by an intense immune response (increased levels of IgG, IgE and particularly IgM) associated with insignificant rises in orosomucoid and C-reactive protein and decreases in haptoglobulins. Such a profile may be considered as strongly suggestive of trypanosomiasis. No characteristic profile could be established for different stages of the disease although there were rising IgG and IgM levels as the disease progressed. This study demonstrated the superiority of multidimensional component analysis over mono-variable analysis for discriminating between infected and healthy groups in an endemic area.