Abstract
A general non-specific marker of disease activity that could alert the clinician and prompt further investigation would be of value in patients with HIV/AIDS, especially in resource limited environments. To investigate the potential of neopterin as non-specific biomarker in patients with advanced HIV/AIDS. Cross-sectional study in 105 HIV positive patients (75 on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). Neopterin was assessed by enzyme linked immune-absorbent assay and cytokines by flow cytometry. Neopterin levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) for the total patient than for the control group. Significant correlations between neopterin and plasma indicators of inflammation showed neopterin to be a good indicator of active inflammatory status and of the effect of HAART on the immune system. Neopterin was superior to C-reactive protein and to individual cytokines as indicator of immune deficiency. Increased neopterin levels were associated with a decline in albumin, haemoglobin and the albumin/globulin ratio, and with increases in red cell distribution width. Plasma neopterin is a good non-specific biomarker of disease activity in HIV/AIDS patients. It is a good indicator of inflammatory activity, perpetuation of inflammation-associated co-morbidities, degree of immune deficiency and has predictive value for underlying disease, and for monitoring the HAART response.
Highlights
The search for a suitable biomarker in HIV/AIDS is ongoing
C-reactive protein (CRP), cytokines and CD4 counts were employed in the appraisal of neopterin as non-specific biomarker of the inflammatory status, immune deficiency, the effects of anti-retroviral treatment and TB co-infection
The value of neopterin as indicator of disease progression in HIV has been shown by several laboratories[16], and in an earlier paper on HIV/AIDS patients of African ethnicity we showed neopterin to be superior to CRP and procalcitonin as indicator of disease progression[2]
Summary
The search for a suitable biomarker in HIV/AIDS is ongoing. Evermore markers are being evaluated as indicators of immune suppression and disease progression and to better understand the immunopathogenesis of the disease 1,2. In contrast to the need for biomarkers for specific purposes, a general non-specific marker of disease that could alert the clinician to further investigate the patient would be of value, especially in resource limited environments. Such a tool should be relatively inexpensive and facilities for its determination readily available. A general non-specific marker of disease activity that could alert the clinician and prompt further investigation would be of value in patients with HIV/AIDS, especially in resource limited environments. Conclusions: Plasma neopterin is a good non-specific biomarker of disease activity in HIV/AIDS patients It is a good indicator of inflammatory activity, perpetuation of inflammation-associated co-morbidities, degree of immune deficiency and has predictive value for underlying disease, and for monitoring the HAART response
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
