[Radioimmunological determination of neopterin in blood donors]

In 518 sera from blood donors below 30 years of age Neopterin was determined by radioimmunoassay. 21 of these patients (= 4.05%) showed elevated serum levels for Neopterin. By clinical investigation of these cases viral infections of the upper airways were found. Furthermore after elimination of elevated values significant differences in normal Neopterin serum levels could be demonstrated for female and male blood donors (p less than 0.01). Because elevated Neopterin serum levels indicate immune responses to several antigens, determination of Neopterin from serum may be useful for detection of infectious blood samples.