We investigated the profile of some trace metals in human African trypanosomiasis (HAT) infected individuals in three Abraka communities of Delta State, Nigeria. Thirty five seropositives were categorized as weakly positive (n = 9), moderately positive (n = 12) and strongly positive (n = 14). The iron concentrations for weakly, moderately and strongly positives when compared with control subjects were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Elevated levels of zinc were observed for moderately positive and strongly positive (p < 0.05). Significant difference was observed in the level of copper in both the moderately and strongly positives when compared with their non-infected volunteers (p < 0.05). The differences in selenium levels between weakly positive, moderately positive and strongly positive with control subjects were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The elevation of iron, zinc and copper concentrations observed among the Trypanosoma brucei gambiense-infected volunteers indicate the alteration of the profile of these micronutrients in infected volunteers, thereby implicating them in the pathogenesis of human African trypanosomiasis.

Key words: Human African trypanosomiasis, metals, volunteers.