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Abstract
Objective: Neopterin is derived from guanosine-triphosphate, produced by stimulated macrophages under the influence of gamma interferon (IFN-γ) of CD4 T lymphocyte origin. It has been reported that the pleural neopterin level is higher in tuberculous pleurisy (TP) than nontuberculous pleural effusions. In the presented study, the diagnostic value of pleural neopterin in tuberculous pleurisy was investigated.
Material and Method: 70 patients with pleural effusion (19 transudative pleural effusion, 19 malignant pleural effusion (MPE), 18 parapneumonic effusion (PPE) and 14 TP) were enrolled in the study.
Results: The mean neopterin level was 32.73±26.20 nmol/L in transudative effusion and 19.34±15.32 nmol/L in exudative effusion and there was no significant difference. The mean neopterin level was 19.84±15.94 nmol/L in TP, 26.8±20.16 nmol/L in PPE and 12.52±4.24 nmol/L in MPE. While the pleural neopterin level was significantly higher in transudative effusion and PPE than MPE, there was no significant difference between TP and other groups.
Conclusion: According to this study's results, pleural neopterin has no diagnostic value in TP. (Tur Toraks Der 2010; 11: 62-5)