[Serum neopterin in hemorrhagic vasculitis]

Out of 12 patients with hemorrhagic vasculitis (HV) having the disease for 3-3.2 years (5 males and 7 females aged 18-55 years, mean age 34 +/- 13.8 years) renal affection was found in 3 (25%) patients. Renal function was normal in all the patients. One patient had nephrotic and two had mixed nephritis. One patient had gastrointestinal lesions. Serum neopterin was measured by radioimmunoassay. Mean concentration of serum neopterin was significantly higher than in donors (9.15 +/- 6.82 nmol/l and 5.2 +/- 2.1 nmol/l, respectively). A high neopterin level was found in 2 (67%) of 3 patients with nephritis and in 1(11%) of 9 patients free of nephritis. Mean neopterin was significantly higher in 3 patients with renal disorders than in the comparison group. A positive correlation existed between neopterin level and the clinical activity index, ESR, IgA, IgG CIC concentrations.