Examinations
Examinations
Neopterin is a biomarker of immune activation, particularly cell-mediated immune response. It is primarily produced by monocytes and macrophages when stimulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), which is released by activated T-helper cells.
Clinical Significance
- Elevated neopterin levels indicate immune system activation, which occurs in viral infections, autoimmune diseases, cancers, and organ transplant rejection.
- It helps differentiate viral infections from bacterial infections, as bacterial infections typically do not significantly elevate neopterin.
- Used for monitoring immune response in diseases like tuberculosis, HIV, and autoimmune conditions.
- Take the test at least 2 hours after the last meal.
- Avoid smoking for 1 hour before the test.
- Avoid physical and emotional stress for 1 hour before the test.
- Diagnosis and monitoring of viral infections (HIV, Hepatitis B & C, measles, cytomegalovirus, herpesvirus, parvovirus)
- Parasitic infections
- Chronic bacterial infections caused by intracellular bacteria (e.g., Borrelia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Helicobacter pylori)
- Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Cancer diagnosis and monitoring (gynecological and hematological malignancies, lung and prostate cancer, gastrointestinal tumors)
- Monitoring immune response in depression
- Transplant rejection assessment
- Differentiation of inflammatory diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis vs. osteoporosis)
Elevated Neopterin Levels May Indicate:
- Viral infections
- Active tuberculosis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Increased risk of transplant rejection
- Cancer (various malignancies, including lung, prostate, gastrointestinal, and hematological cancers)
Low Neopterin Levels:
- Clinically insignificant (not typically associated with disease states).