RESUMEN
Heparin-binding protein is a serine protease that is mobilized rapidly from emigrating polymorphonuclear leukocytes that acts as a chemoattractant activator of monocyte and macrophages. We investigated the potential role and efficacy of serum and cerebrospinal fluid heparin binding protein in differentiating bacterial meningitis from tuberculosis and viral meningitis. A case diagnosed with acute bacterial meningitis (n:37), viral meningitis (n:30) and tuberculous meningitis (n:30) was included in this study. The diagnosis was based on history, clinical criteria, cerebrospinal fluid examination, latex agglutination and culture, and response to therapy. Heparin-binding protein was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent technique in both cerebrospinal fluid and serum. Cerebrospinal fluid heparin-binding protein levels were 7.81 ± 0.23 ng/mL in bacterial meningitis, 6.11 ± 0.3 ng/mL in tuberculosis meningitis and 5.75 ± 0.1 ng/mL in viral meningitis. The mean serum level was 14.98 ± 1.1 ng/mL in bacterial meningitis, 6.89 ± 0.4 ng/mL in tuberculosis meningitis, and 6.02 ± 0.4 ng/mL in viral meningitis. Both heparin-binding protein levels were significantly higher in patients with bacterial meningitis. We found that serum and cerebrospinal fluid heparin binding protein is a useful marker for differentiating bacterial meningitis from non-bacterial meningitis.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to determine erythrocyte glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and serum total antioxidant response levels in a large chronic viral hepatitis group who had no antiviral treatment, and also the relationship of these parameters with viral load, fibrosis score, and necro-inflammation of the liver. METHODS: 200 patients who were diagnosed with chronic viral hepatitis and 107 healthy subjects were included in this study. Antioxidant parameters were measured spectrophotometrically. The viral load was assayed using a polymerase chain reaction technique. Histopathologic findings in the liver were scored as necro-inflammatory activity and fibrosis according to Ishak-Knodell score. RESULTS: Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase activities, glutathione, and serum total antioxidant response levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls (p < 0,001). Additionally, no significant correlation was found between these markers and viral load, necro-inflammation, and fibrosis of the liver in patients with chronic viral hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest the insufficiency of an antioxidant barrier in patients with chronic viral hepatitis, but the decrease in antioxidant systems was not correlated with viral load, necro-inflammatory activity, and fibrosis score in the liver.