Zinc and copper levels in hydatid cyst fluid and patient's blood

Eighteen patients with hydatid disease from Basrah General Hospital were involved in the study during 2007. Their ages ranged from 23-56 years with mean of 33.55 +/- 10.4 years. The control group consisted of 25 apparantly healthy individuals. Zinc and copper levels in the sera and hydatid fluids were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean values of zinc and copper concentrations in sera of patients were 124.33 +/- 30.04 mg/dl and 88.05 +/- 15.91 mg/dl respectively in comparing with those of the control group (P < 0.0001). On the other hand, mean values of both zinc and copper levels in sera of patients were lower than those of the hydatid cyst fluids which were statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between sera zinc and copper concentrations of patients and the control group while negative correlations were observed with other relationships.