W. Olahomukani et al., IMMUNOASSAY OF CIRCULATING TRYPANOSOMAL ANTIGENS IN SLEEPING SICKNESSPATIENTS UNDERGOING TREATMENT, Journal of immunoassay, 15(1), 1994, pp. 69-77
Sera from 99 patients infected with Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and
undergoing treatment, were analyzed for circulating trypanosomal anti
gens using a sandwich antigen-trapping enzyme-linked immunosorbent ass
ay (ELISA). Trypanosomal antigens were detected in 83 (84%) of the pat
ients. Post-treatment antigen profile in 67 patients showed five disti
nct patterns: in 48% of the patients antigen levels remained elevated
throughout the time of hospitalisation and follow-up; in 31%, antigens
dropped to the negative value by the second month; in 7.5%, antigens
dropped to the negative level and became elevated afterwards; in 7.5%,
antigen levels were negative initially, but later, became elevated an
d remained so throughout the observation period; in 6%, antigen levels
remained below the negative value throughout. All patients who relaps
ed on follow-up had earlier shown evidence of elevated antigen profile
. There were no cases of relapses among 21 patients whose antigen leve
ls dropped subsequent to treatment. This ELISA trypanosome antigen det
ection test could be useful in evaluating treatment success, when used
together with parasitological diagnostic techniques.