title: Increased CXCL-13 levels in human African trypanosomiasis meningo-encephalitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of the B-cell attracting chemokine CXCL-13, which may initiate B-cell trafficking and IgM production in diagnosing HAT meningo-encephalitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined CXCL-13 levels by ELISA on paired sera and CSF of 26 patients from Angola and of 16 controls (six endemic and ten non-endemic). Results were compared to standard stage determination markers and IgM intrathecal synthesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CXCL-13 levels in patients' sera had a median value of 386.6 pg/ml and increased levels were associated with presence of trypanosomes in the CSF but not with other stage markers. CXCL-13 levels in patients' CSF had a median value of 80.9 pg/ml and increased levels were associated with all standard stage determination markers and IgM intrathecal synthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CXCL-13 levels in CSF increased significantly during the course of HAT. Hence the value of CXCL-13 for diagnosis, follow-up or as a marker of disease severity should be tested in a well-defined cohort study.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Neurologie Tropicale, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France. bertrand.courtioux@unilim.fr
authors.forename: Bertrand
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Courtioux
authors.forename: Lynda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pervieux
authors.forename: Gedeao
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vatunga
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.forename: Théophile
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Josenando
authors.forename: Marie-Odile
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Jauberteau-Marchan
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bouteille
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bisser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000810:Angola / Q000453:epidemiology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D020808:Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D054382:Chemokine CXCL13 / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014353:Trypanosomiasis, African / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C110663:CXCL13 protein, human; D054382:Chemokine CXCL13