Neopterin Concentration in Serum and Chosen Markers of Inflammatory Process in Children with Acute Diarrhea Caused by Rotavirus or Salmonella

• Main Authors: Kozlowska-Murawska Jolanta, Obuchowicz Anna
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: De Gruyter 2009-02-01
• Series: Pteridines
• Subjects: neopterin; rotavirus; salmonella; viral infection; children
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1515/pteridines.2009.20.1.119

Neopterin concentrations reflect the activation of the cellular immune system. Neopterin is released by macrophages stimulated by interferon-γ (IFN-γ), which is produced by activated T lymphocytes. Raised neopterin concentrations in body fluids are found in various disorders, e.g. viral infections (AIDS, cytomegalovirus, hepatitis), intracellular bacteria infections (Mycobacteruim tuberculosis, Mycobacterium leprae), autoimmune disorders and malignancy. Neopterin concentrations are low or not significantly increased in bacterial infections, with exception of infections with intracellular bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of neopterin in the differential diagnosis of viral (Rotavirus) and bacterial (Salmonella) origin of diarrhoea.