title: IgM and antibody measurement in the diagnosis and management of Gambian trypanosomiasis.
abstract: Serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) IgM were measured in 182 patients at various stages of Gambian sleeping sickness and correlated with antibody levels measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Each of these tests in serum gave a 30% false negative result, but when both were used this fell to 12%. Measurements of IgM in CSF were raised in 87% of patients with advanced disease and in none of the early cases. The IgM levels fell slowly to normal by 12 months after treatment. A high level at this time, or a rise after treatment, was helpful in diagnosing relapsed patients. Antibody levels in CSF were of no use in diagnosis or prognosis, and were raised in many controls.
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D012008:Recurrence; D014347:Trypanosoma brucei gambiense / Q000276:immunology; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D007075:Immunoglobulin M