Summary: | Despite the available literature on traumatic brain injury (TBI) biomarkers elsewhere, data are limited or non-existent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The aim of the study was to analyse associations in acute TBI between the admission serum biomarker concentrations and TBI severity, CT-scan findings, and outcome, as well as to explore the influence of concurrent <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> infection. The concentrations of serum biomarkers (GFAP, NFL Tau, UCH-L1, and S100B) were measured and <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> were detected in the samples obtained <24 h post injury. GOSE was used to evaluate the 6-month outcome. All of the biomarker levels increased with the severity of TBI, but this increase was significant only for NFL (<i>p</i> = 0.01). The GFAP values significantly increased (<i>p</i> = 0.026) in those with an unfavourable outcome. The Tau levels were higher in those who died (<i>p</i> = 0.017). GFAP and NFL were sensitive to CT-scan pathology (<i>p</i> values of 0.004 and 0.002, respectively). The S100B levels were higher (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in TBI patients seropositive to <i>Toxoplasma gondii.</i> In conclusion, NFL was found to be sensitive to TBI severity, while NFL and GFAP were predictive of CT intracranial abnormalities. Increased levels of GFAP and Tau were associated with poorer outcomes 6 months after TBI, and the S100B levels were significantly affected by concurrent <i>T. gondii</i> infection in TBI patients compared with the seronegative patients.
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