title: IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 and pentraxin 3 plasma levels are tools for monitoring inflammation and disease activity in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.
abstract: IFN-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10) is a chemokine involved in delayed-type hypersensitivity and attraction of monocytes and activated T lymphocytes at inflammatory foci, whereas pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is part of the innate immune response. In the Republic of Guinea, 220 newly diagnosed, HIV-negative, pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients were studied together with 220 healthy household controls and 220 community controls. CXCL10 and PTX3 blood levels were assessed by ELISA at diagnosis, after 2 months and at the end of treatment. In untreated patients, both CXCL10 and PTX3 levels were higher (P < 0.0001) than in controls, although household controls had higher (P < 0.0001) CXCL10 and PTX3 levels than community controls, but lower (P < 0.0001) than those of patients. At the end of treatment, 186 cured patients showed reduction (P < 0.0001) in both CXCL10 and PTX3 levels. In 34 patients with treatment failure, both CXCL10 and PTX3 levels increased further. In five previously healthy households who developed TB during the follow-up and in two patients who relapsed after treatment, a remarkable increase in both CXCL10 and PTX3 plasma levels was observed. Active TB is associated with increased CXCL10 and PTX3 levels in the plasma. Although not specific for TB, measurement of these proteins may help the monitoring of disease activity and efficacy of therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 85, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Annalisa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azzurri
authors.forename: Oumou Y
authors.initials: OY
authors.lastname: Sow
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amedei
authors.forename: Boubacar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bah
authors.forename: Sadio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peri
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benagiano
authors.forename: Mario M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: D'Elios
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Prete
mesh_terms: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D019743:Chemokines, CXC / Q000097:blood*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D008297:Male; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component / Q000032:analysis*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D000099153:Pentraxins
chemical_list: D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D019743:Chemokines, CXC; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D000683:Serum Amyloid P-Component; D000099153:Pentraxins