A non-specific biomarker of disease activity in HIV/AIDS patients from resource-limited environments

dc.contributor.authorBipath, Priyesh
dc.contributor.authorLevay, Peter Ferenc
dc.contributor.authorOlorunju, Steve
dc.contributor.authorViljoen, Margaretha
dc.date.accessioned2016-05-19T06:45:46Z
dc.date.available2016-05-19T06:45:46Z
dc.date.issued2015-06
dc.description.abstractBACKGROUND : A general non-specific marker of disease activity that could alert the clinician and prompt further investigation would be of value in patients with HIV/AIDS, especially in resource limited environments. OBJECTIVE : To investigate the potential of neopterin as non-specific biomarker in patients with advanced HIV/AIDS. METHODS : Cross-sectional study in 105 HIV positive patients (75 on highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). Neopterin was assessed by enzyme linked immune-absorbent assay and cytokines by flow cytometry. RESULTS : Neopterin levels were significantly higher (p<0.001) for the total patient than for the control group. Significant correlations between neopterin and plasma indicators of inflammation showed neopterin to be a good indicator of active inflammatory status and of the effect of HAART on the immune system. Neopterin was superior to C-reactive protein and to individual cytokines as indicator of immune deficiency. Increased neopterin levels were associated with a decline in albumin, haemoglobin and the albumin/globulin ratio, and with increases in red cell distribution width. CONCLUSIONS : Plasma neopterin is a good non-specific biomarker of disease activity in HIV/AIDS patients. It is a good indicator of inflammatory activity, perpetuation of inflammation-associated co-morbidities, degree of immune deficiency and has predictive value for underlying disease, and for monitoring the HAART response.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentInternal Medicineen_ZA
dc.description.departmentPhysiologyen_ZA
dc.description.departmentPsychiatryen_ZA
dc.description.librarianam2016en_ZA
dc.description.sponsorshipThe Medical Research Council of South African and the South African Sugar Association.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.bioline.org.br/hsen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationBipath, P, Levay, P, Olorunju, S & Viljoen, M 2015, 'A non-specific biomarker of disease activity in HIV/AIDS patients from resource-limited environments', African Health Sciences, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 334-343.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn1680-6905 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1729-0503 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.4314/ahs.v15i2.5
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/52711
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherMakerere University Medical Schoolen_ZA
dc.rightsMakerere University Medical Schoolen_ZA
dc.subjectNeopterinen_ZA
dc.subjectBiomarkersen_ZA
dc.subjectImmune activationen_ZA
dc.subjectHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)en_ZA
dc.subjectAcquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)en_ZA
dc.titleA non-specific biomarker of disease activity in HIV/AIDS patients from resource-limited environmentsen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA

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