The aim of the study: was to determinate the serum neopterin concentration in children with lower respiratory tract infections.
Material and methods: eighty-seven children with lower respiratory tract infections, aged from 1 month to 8 years, were analyzed. The control group consisted of 105 children without infection. The serum C-reactive protein level and whole blood count with differential white blood count were estimated The serum neopterin concentration was evaluated using the immunoenzyme assay (ELISA).
Results: statistically significantly higher serum neopterin concentration was observed in the studied than in the control group. The sensitivity of serum neopterin concentration evaluation in children with lower respiratory tract infection was 90.5% and specificity 55.2%. No correlation was found between serum neopterin concentrations and commonly evaluated inflammatory markers.
Conclusions: serum neopterin concentration is elevated in children with lower respiratory tract infections and may be of clinical value as the marker of a viral infection.