Bipath, PriyeshLevay, Peter FerencOlorunju, SteveViljoen, Margaretha2016-05-192016-05-192015-06Bipath, 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. 334-343.1680-6905 (print)1729-0503 (online)10.4314/ahs.v15i2.5http://hdl.handle.net/2263/52711BACKGROUND : 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.enMakerere University Medical SchoolNeopterinBiomarkersImmune activationHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)Article