title: Serum neopterin concentrations in Wegener's granulomatosis correlate with vasculitis activity.
abstract: Raised serum neopterin concentrations were found in 13 of 27 patients (47%) with Wegener's granulomatosis. The neopterin concentrations significantly correlated with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score as well as with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. High serum neopterin levels were also associated with infectious complications. The finding of increased neopterin concentrations in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis supports the role of cell-mediated immunity and particularly of activated macrophages in the pathogenesis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Research Center, Moscow, Russia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nassonov
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samsonov
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beketova
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Semenkova
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wachter
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D014890:Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019798:Neopterin; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
chemical_list: D019268:Antibodies, Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic; D001323:Autoantibodies; D001708:Biopterins; D019798:Neopterin