Immunosuppression in Gambian trypanosomiasis

Abstract
Cellular and humoral immune responses were studied in 38 patients with Gambian trypanosomiasis and compared with those of 43 matched controls. Expression of cell mediated immunity, induction of cell mediated immunity and expression of humoral immunity were all impaired in the patients with trypanosomiasis. It is suggested that immunosuppression induced by T. gambiense may contribute to the increased susceptibility to secondary infection observed in patients with African trypanosomiasis.