Elevated levels of soluble urokinase receptor in serum from mycobacteria infected patients: still looking for a marker of treatment efficacy

S R Ostrowski, P Ravn, G Hoyer-Hansen, H Ullum, A B Andersen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

In search for a serological marker, which may be used to monitor treatment efficacy in patients with extra-pulmonary mycobacterial infections, serum samples were collected prospectively from patients during a 6-months treatment period. The levels of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFrII) were measured and compared with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (SR) and C-reactive protein levels (CRP). sTNFrII levels were elevated at the time of diagnosis and declined in parallel with traditional inflammation markers (SR and CRP). suPAR levels were elevated to more than double (median 7.7 ng/ml, range 5.6-25.8) compared to levels previously reported for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The serum suPAR levels however remained high during the entire treatment period. This may reflect that significant inflammatory activity is continuing for more than 6 months in patients with extrapulmonary mycobacterial infections, despite adequate anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Original languageEnglish
JournalScandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume38
Issue number11-12
Pages (from-to)1028-1032
Number of pages5
ISSN0036-5548
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Adult
  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Biomarkers
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Endpoint Determination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Prospective Studies
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Urokinase Plasminogen Activator
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
  • Evaluation Studies
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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