ACUTE-PHASE PROTEINS IN HUMAN BRUCELLOSIS

Acute phase proteins namely atpha-1-antitrypsin and ceruloplasmin were estimated together with the qualitative detection of C-reactive protein in patients suffering from acute brucellosis as diagnosed by their clinical signs, symptoms and serology. The levels of acute phase proteins were compared with that of the conventional direct agglutination test and the serum levels of immunoglobulin classes IgG, IgA and IgM and Various markers of acute inflammation-namely C3, C4 components of the complement and albumin. A positive correlation was observed between the levels of acute phase reactant proteins, immunoglobulin levels and the titre of the Brucella-specific antibodies. However, a negative correlation (r=-6.86; p<0.05) was observed between serum albumin levels and that of the acute phase proteins as expected. Upon following up the patients for 5 weeks no significant differences were observed in the concentrations of the immunoglobulins and the specific antibody titre while the levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin and ceruloplasmin decreased significantly (p < 0.05) and the C-reactive protein was found to be negative.