[Role of the immune parameter neopterin in adnexitis]

Neopterin is a sensitive marker of macrophage activity, and elevated urine excretion has been observed in viral and bacterial infections. Including 48 patients, we investigated whether neopterin could be a valid parameter for classification of PID. Urinary Neopterin was determined pretherapeutically and throughout the follow-up by means of high pressure liquid chromatography. In about one third of the patients elevated levels of neopterin were observed and these were characterized by higher PID-scores, accelerated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and higher levels of C-reactive protein. The results indicate that in patients with PID macrophages are regularly activated. Neopterin may give additional information for classification of PID although because of lack of sensitivity and specificity it may not be helpful for differential diagnosis or follow-up of these patients.