Plasma neuronal specific enolase: A potential stage diagnostic marker in human African trypanosomiasis

Abstract

Background: This study was carried out to determine the potential of neuronal specific enolase (NSE) as a stage diagnostic marker in human African trypanosomiasis. Methods: Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid were obtained from a cohort of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesienseinfected patients and non-infected controls. Neuronal specific enolase concentrations were measured by ELISA and analysed in relation to diagnosis and disease-stage data. Results: Plasma NSE concentration was significantly increased in late-stage patients (median 21 ng/ml), compared to the control (median 11 ng/ml), but not in early-stage patients (median 5.3 ng/ml). Cerebrospinal fluid NSE concentration did not vary between stages. Conclusion: Plasma NSE is a potential stage diagnostic in this cohort and merits further investigation. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved.