title: Serum albumin and gamma globulin in Trypanosoma cruzi infections.
abstract: This paper examines the association between serum protein levels and infection with Trypanosoma cruzi in a region of Central Brazil. 148 people 6 to 78 years of age, were included in this study. There were no statistically significant difference in albumin levels between those with positive T. cruzi serology (2.94 +/- 0.74 g/100 ml) and those with negative serology (3.04 +/- 0.61 g/100 ml). Thus the null hypothesis of no association between infection with T. cruzi and serum albumin is accepted. Gamma-globulin levels were elevated in both groups and were significantly greater (p less than 0.05) in the group with positive T. cruzi serology (1.91 +/- 0.41 g/100 ml) than in the group with negative serology (1.75 +/- 0.41 g/100 ml). The serum albumin levels suggest that malnutrition (either associated with low protein intake or increased loss due to hookworm) is a major problem and unlikely to change if T. cruzi transmission was controlled.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D004034:Diet Surveys; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis*; D005719:gamma-Globulins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D012709:Serum Albumin; D005719:gamma-Globulins