title: Serum neopterin is elevated in patients infected with Shigella.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neopterin 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 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).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study revealed that neopterin was elevated in patients infected with Shigella.
authors: Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.|Department of Medical Microbiology & Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors: Kirnpal-Kaur Banga
authors: KB
authors: Singh
authors: Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors: W A
authors: WA
authors: Wan-Nurfahizul-Izzati
authors: Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, Health Campus, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors: Asma
authors: A
authors: Ismail