Increased CXCL-13 levels in human African trypanosomiasis meningo-encephalitis.
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.
Courtioux
Bertrand
B
Institut de Neurologie Tropicale, Université de Limoges, Limoges, France. bertrand.courtioux@unilim.fr
Pervieux
Lynda
L
Vatunga
Gedeao
G
Marin
Benoit
B
Josenando
Théophile
T
Jauberteau-Marchan
Marie-Odile
MO
Bouteille
Bernard
B
Bisser
Sylvie
S
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
D015415:Biomarkers; C110663:CXCL13 protein, human; D054382:Chemokine CXCL13