DETECTION OF ANTI-GALACTOCEREBROSIDE AUTO ANTIBODIES IN HUMAN AFRICANTRYPANOSOMIASIS

The pathogenesis of the central nervous system (CNS) damage in human a frican trypanosomiasis (HAT) is unknown. In view of an immunological m echanism, as in another trypanosomiasis, Chagas' disease, the causativ e agent of which is Trypanosoma cruzi, we have searched autoantibodies directed against glycosphingolipids of CNS. Detection and characteriz ation of autoantibodies were performed by ELISA and detection after th in-layer chromatography of glycolipids with sera of an experimental mo del of HAT in sheep and sera of patients suffering of HAT from Cote d' lvoire and Congo. The predominant reactivity of these,sera, was charac terized with galactocerebrosides, the major glycolipids of the myelin. Autoantibodies were defected in 42.8% and 25% of patients' sera, resp ectively from Cote d'lvoire and Congo. The proportion of these antibod ies increased dramatically to 72% in sera of patients with neurologica l symptoms. Anti-galactocerebroside antibodies were also found in CSF of 24.4% of Congolense patients. The pathogenic significance of these anti-galactocerebroside antibodies remains to be determined. They may constitute a predicative marker for the neurological improvement in HA T.