title: Analysis of zinc, iron and copper serum levels in patients with common variable immunodeficiency.
abstract: Serum zinc, copper and iron levels together with content of zinc in hair were investigated in 13 patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) and in 13 controls. A significant decrease in serum zinc (mean = 11.3 mumol/l, SD = 2.9 in CVID patients compared to mean 14.3 mumol/l, SD = 2.4 in controls) and iron levels (mean = 11.8 mumol/l, SD = 3.1 in CVID patients, mean = 18.3 mumol/l, SD = 4.7 in controls) in CVID patients were observed. Hair zinc content of CVID patients was significantly decreased compared to healthy persons (1.41 mumol/g, SD = 0.64 in CVID patients, and mean = 2.23 mumol/g, SD = 0.83 in controls). Serum copper level in CVID patients was significantly increased compared to controls (mean = 24.4 mumol/l, SD = 4.8 in CVID Patients, mean = 14.6 mumol/l, SD = 2.8 in controls). The decreased serum zinc and iron levels may be caused by disturbed absorption in the intestines of patients with CVID, but redistribution due to chronic inflammatory processes is a second possible explanation of hypozincemia in CVID patients.
authors.affiliation: Inst. Clin. Immunol. Masaryk University, Brno, The Czech Republic.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Litzman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dastych
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hegar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017074:Common Variable Immunodeficiency / Q000097:blood*; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D003300:Copper; D007501:Iron; D015032:Zinc