Serum lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities in human African trypanosomiasis

We have studied the serum lipoprotein system in human African trypanosomiasis (Trypanosoma brucei gambiense infection). The study was carried out on 74 Congolense patients suffering from sleeping sickness and 34 Congolense control subjects living in the endemic region of Boko Songho. We have determined the serum concentrations of lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids) and apolipoproteins (apolipoprotein A-I and B), and the separation of serum lipoproteins by electrophoresis. For the patients infected with T. b. gambiense, in comparison with control subjects, the results have shown (i) a significant increase in triglyceride concentration and a decrease in cholesterol concentration; (ii) a significant rise in apolipoprotein B concentration and a significant reduction in apolipoprotein A-I concentration; and (iii) an increase in low density lipoproteins and a decrease in high density lipoproteins. We conclude, therefore, that human African trypanosomiasis is associated with marked alterations in the composition and levels of host lipoproteins.