Author/Authors :
Mobaien، Ahmadreza نويسنده Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Mobaien, Ahmadreza , Hajiabdolbaghi، Mahboubeh نويسنده Department of Infectious Diseases, Iranian Research Center for HIV and AIDS, Emam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , , Jafari، Siroos نويسنده Dept. of Infectious Diseases, Imam Hospitals Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , , Alipouran، Ali نويسنده Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS (IRCHA), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Alipouran, Ali , Ahmadi، Mehdi نويسنده Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran Ahmadi, Mehdi , Eini، Peyman نويسنده , , SMITS، HENK L. نويسنده ,
Abstract :
Background:
Micronutrients such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) have a modulatory effect on immune system. Altered
serum concentrations of these nutrients have been described in patients with specific disease conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum Zn and Cu level alterations in patients with brucellosis in comparison with healthy
individuals.
Patients and methods:
Serum Zn and Cu level of 43 patients with brucellosis (34 men and 9 women) were compared
with 43 matched healthy controls. Serum micronutrient concentrations were measured by automatic absorptive
spectrophotometry.
Results:
Mean serum Cu concentration was significantly higher in subjects with brucellosis when compared with agematched
healthy controls (p < 0.05). Mean serum Zn level was decreased in female patients compared with controls
(p < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference between male patients and controls.
Conclusion:
Serum Zn and Cu concentrations may alter in patients with brucellosis during the period of infection.
Further studies are needed to determine whether these micronutrients have an effect on disease severity and outcome.
Measuring serum Cu level may be suggested as a complementary screening tool for brucellosis
