Nitric oxide and cytokine synthesis in human African trypanosomiasis.
Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of nitrate and the cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-4 were measured in 91 African trypanosomiasis patients before and after treatment. Nitrate levels overall were not significantly elevated over those for control persons, but a marginal increase in plasma nitrate was detected in patients reporting illness of <40 days' duration. Plasma IFN-gamma and total TNF-alpha concentrations increased during infection, but free TNF-alpha levels were low in all patients. The most dramatic cytokine response was for IL-10, which was significantly elevated in both plasma and CSF during infection but returned to control levels after treatment. The results indicate that human African trypanosomiasis leads to the development of a strong anti-inflammatory cytokine response.
MacLean
L
L
Department of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 2TZ, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Odiit
M
M
Sternberg
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D014346:Trypanosoma brucei brucei / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016833:Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D016207:Cytokines; D009566:Nitrates; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007371:Interferon-gamma