Abstract
BackgroundNeopterin is produced by human macrophages/monocytes when stimulated with interferon-gamma. Production of neopterin is found in serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine of patients with infections by viruses, intracellular bacteria and parasites, autoimmune diseases, malignant tumors and patients in allograft rejection episodes.MethodsIn this study, the level of neopterin was determined in serum samples obtained from patients infected with Shigella (all four species) and healthy individuals. The study population comprised of 14 patients infected with Shigella and 14 normal controls. Serum neopterin was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe mean of serum neopterin concentration was 36.32 ± 9.71 nmol/L among patients infected with Shigella and 2.88 ± 0.77 nmol/L in the control group. The mean serum neopterin levels were significantly higher in the test group as compared to the normal group (p = 0.002).ConclusionThis study revealed that neopterin was elevated in patients infected with Shigella.
Highlights
Neopterin is produced by human monocytes/macrophages upon stimulation with interferon gamma produced by activated T-lymphocytes and Natural Killer (NK) cells [1,2]
The mean concentration of serum neopterin levels were found to be 36.32 ± 9.71 nmol/L in patients infected with Shigella as compared to 2.88 ± 0.77 nmol/L in the control group
Serum neopterin levels were significantly elevated in patients with shigellosis compared to the control group (p = 0.002)
Summary
Neopterin is produced by human monocytes/macrophages upon stimulation with interferon gamma produced by activated T-lymphocytes and Natural Killer (NK) cells [1,2]. It is a low molecular weight pteridine compound and is thought to represent a marker of immune activation and the proliferation of macrophages [3]. Levels of neopterin are increased in infections caused by viruses, intracellular bacteria and parasites, autoimmune and other inflammatory diseases, malignant tumors and allograft transplantation [1,2]. Production of neopterin is found in serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine of patients with infections by viruses, intracellular bacteria and parasites, autoimmune diseases, malignant tumors and patients in allograft rejection episodes
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