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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Microscopy-based Assays for High-throughput Screening of Host Factors Involved in Brucella Infection of Hela Cells
Published on: August 5, 2016
Significant elevation of serum soluble CD14 levels in patients with brucellosis
Ergin Ayaslioglu1, Emin Tekeli, Serhat Birengel
1Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Kirikkale University Faculty of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey. eayasli@yahoo.com
Abstract:
Activation of macrophages represents one of the initial events in innate immunity to intracellular infections. CD14 is expressed principally by cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage and plays a pivotal role in innate recognition of bacterial cell wall components, particularly lipopolysaccharides. We measured serum concentrations of soluble CD14 (sCD14) in serum samples obtained from 37 patients with brucellosis and 36 healthy controls. Serum levels of sCD14 were significantly increased in patients with brucellosis compared with those in healthy controls (P < 0.001). Re-analysis of serum samples after treatment in 25 patients demonstrated that treatment did not result in any significant decline in sCD14 levels. Despite a limited study population, these findings may implicate CD14 signaling as an important component of the initial anti-brucellar host response and suggest that activation of mononuclear phagocytic system is sustained even following effective treatment.
Insights
Serum soluble CD14 (sCD14) levels are elevated in brucellosis patients, indicating its role in the innate immune response. Treatment did not significantly lower sCD14, suggesting sustained macrophage activation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Macrophages are key in innate immunity against intracellular infections.
- CD14, primarily on monocytes/macrophages, recognizes bacterial components like lipopolysaccharides.
- Soluble CD14 (sCD14) is a marker of monocyte/macrophage activation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum sCD14 levels in patients with brucellosis.
- To determine if treatment affects sCD14 levels in brucellosis.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 37 brucellosis patients and 36 healthy controls.
- Serum sCD14 concentrations were measured using quantitative assays.
- Samples from 25 patients were re-analyzed post-treatment.
Main Results:
- Serum sCD14 levels were significantly higher in brucellosis patients compared to controls (P < 0.001).
- Treatment for brucellosis did not lead to a significant decrease in serum sCD14 levels.
- These findings suggest sustained activation of the mononuclear phagocytic system.
Conclusions:
- CD14 signaling is implicated in the early host response to brucellosis.
- Elevated sCD14 may serve as a biomarker for brucellosis-related immune activation.
- Sustained mononuclear phagocytic system activation may persist even after effective treatment.
