Nitric Oxide and Cytokine Synthesis in Human African Trypanosomiasis

Lorna Mairi MacLean, M. Odiit, Jeremy M Sternberg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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-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 antiinflammatory cytokine response.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1086-1090
Number of pages4
JournalThe journal of infectious diseases
Volume184
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2001

Keywords

  • CELL PROLIFERATIVE RESPONSES
  • INTERFERON-GAMMA
  • CONGOLENSE INFECTION
  • BRUCEI
  • MICE
  • ANEMIA
  • INTERLEUKIN-10
  • SUPPRESSION
  • SYNTHASE

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