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Neopterin measurement provides evidence of altered cell-mediated immunity in patients with depression, but not with schizophrenia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

P. R. Dunbar*
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Psychological Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand
J. Hill
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Psychological Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand
T. J. Neale
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Psychological Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand
G. W. Mellsop
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Psychological Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, Wellington, New Zealand
*
1 Address for correspondence: Dr P. R. Dunbar, Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, PO Box 7343, Wellington South, New Zealand.

Synopsis

Neopterin is a validated marker of the activation of cell-mediated immunity in a variety of disease states. We measured neopterin and creatinine concentrations in the plasma and urine of 22 schizophrenic and 26 depressed patients admitted acutely to hospital, and compared results with those in a large group of normal controls. Neopterin/creatinine ratios were normal in the schizophrenic patients, but significantly elevated in the plasma of depressed patients. In each diagnostic group, the use of psychotropic drugs before admission had no effect on the neopterin ratios observed. Our findings indicate altered cell-mediated immunity in depression.

Type
Brief Communication
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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