title: Comparison of cytokine plasma levels in human African trypanosomiasis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immunological studies suggest that human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) is associated with inflammatory responses. A better understanding of the complex cytokine interactions regulating HAT infections is essential to elucidate the mechanisms of generalized immunosuppression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interferon (IFN)-gamma protein levels in plasma samples from three groups of individuals from the Democratic Republic of Congo: (i) HAT cases; (ii) seropositive individuals for whom parasite detection was negative and (ii) controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma levels of six cytokines were significantly higher in HAT cases than in both controls (P<0.003) and seropositive individuals (P<0.016). IL-2 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly lower (P<0.02) in the seropositive group than in the control one.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Human African trypanosomiasis leads to the development of strong cytokine responses, indicating the potential involvement of IL-2 and IL-10 in the phenomenon of seropositivity without parasitological confirmation. This strongly suggests the involvement of immunity in this particular aspect of HAT epidemiology.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Santé de la mère et de l'enfant en milieu tropical, Paris, France.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Courtin
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jamonneau
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: Mathurin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koffi
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Milet
authors.forename: Claude Sese
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yeminanga
authors.forename: Victor Kande Betu
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Kumeso
authors.forename: Gérard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cuny
authors.forename: Constantin Miaka Mia
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bilengue
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garcia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000097:blood; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D016014:Linear Models; D008118:Loiasis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology; D014347:Trypanosoma brucei gambiense / Q000276:immunology; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007376:Interleukin-2; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma