Serum neopterin concentrations in healthy healthcare workers compared with healthy controls and patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare serum neopterin levels in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, healthy healthcare workers who had close contact with patients, and healthy volunteers. All of the healthy volunteers stated that they had not encountered possible risk factors for exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.


METHODS
Thirty-nine patients, 39 healthy healthcare workers, and a control group of 39 healthy volunteers who had no infection or other diseases were included in this study. Neopterin assay was performed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.


RESULTS
Serum neopterin levels were 18.6+/-14.2 nmol/l in patients, 9.8+/-2.9 nmol/l in healthy healthcare workers, and 3.4+/-5.2 nmol/l in healthy volunteers. Serum neopterin levels in each group were significantly different from each other (p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Levels of neopterin in patients and healthy healthcare workers significantly differ from the levels in healthy controls. The higher serum neopterin levels in healthy healthcare workers may be attributed to latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, but it does not seem to be used in the diagnosis of latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection alone. However, more experiences are needed.
Ozdemir
Davut
D
Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Abant Izzet Baysal University Duzce Medical School, Duzce, Turkey. davutozdemir@hotmail.com
Cesur
Salih
S
Annakkaya
Ali Nihat
AN
Tarhan
Gulnur
G
Hoca
Nevin Taci
NT
Sencan
Irfan
I
Aslan
Turan
T
Ceyhan
Ismail
I
Balbay
Oner
O
Guclu
Ertugrul
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002353:Carrier State / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019798:Neopterin / Q000097:blood*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D014421:Turkey
D019798:Neopterin