Blood signatures for second stage human African trypanosomiasis: a transcriptomic approach

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Immunology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Rhodesiense sleeping sickness, caused by T. b. rhodesiense, is an acute, fatal disease if untreated.
• Understanding the host immune response is crucial for managing T. b. rhodesiense infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of T. b. rhodesiense infection on the patient's immune response.
• To differentiate immune responses in early (blood) and late (CSF) stages of the disease.

Main Methods:

• RNA sequencing (RNASeq) of blood and CSF samples from infected patients and healthy controls.
• Differential gene expression analysis using Tuxedo suite and DESeq2.
• Gene enrichment and pathway analysis using ToppCluster, DAVID, and InnateDB.

Main Results:

• Early infection showed enrichment of innate immune response genes in blood.
• Late infection (CSF) revealed enrichment of anti-inflammatory and neuro-degeneration pathways.
• Identified up-regulated genes (C1QC, MARCO, IGHD3-10) common to both blood and CSF.

Conclusions:

• The study elucidates host responses to T. b. rhodesiense in blood and CNS.
• Identified key immune pathways and potential biomarkers for diagnosing late-stage disease.
• Findings may aid in developing diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.