Serum proteins and fractions, HDL-cholesterol and total IgG and IgE levels in cases of acute and chronic paracoccidioidomycosis

Abstract

This study evaluated serum protein fractions, HDL-cholesterol, total immunoglobulin G and total immunoglobulin E levels in patients with acute and chronic paracoccidioidomycosis, by means of electrophoresis, enzymatic reaction and immunoenzymatic assay. The results demonstrated elevated levels of total immunoglobulin G, total immunoglobulin E, alpha-2 and gamma-globulins, which were more evident in acute than in chronic PCM, but no increase in HDL-cholesterol levels. There was a correlation between the levels of total immunoglobulin E and gamma-globulins and the alpha-2 and beta-globulin fractions in the acute form and between beta and gamma-globulins in both the acute and the chronic form. In conclusion, changes in total immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin E levels and in the electrophoretic profile may be important markers for the prognosis and therapeutic follow-up of PCM cases, especially because protein electrophoresis is a simple laboratory test that can be applied when specific PCM serological tests are not available. In addition, levels of the gamma-globulin fraction greater than 2.0g/dl may suggest that the patient is developing a more severe form of PCM.Key-words: Immunoglobulin G. Immunoglobulin E. HDL-cholesterol. Paracoccidioidomycosis. Electrophoresis. Enzyme-linked immunoSorbent assay. RESuMoEste trabalho avaliou as frações de proteínas séricas, HDL-colesterol e imunoglobulina G e imunoglobulina E totais em pacientes com paracoccidioidomicose aguda e crônica por eletroforese, reação enzimática e ensaio imunoenzimático. Os resultados demonstraram aumento dos níveis de imunoglobulina G e imunoglobulina E totais, alfa-2 e gama-globulinas, mais evidente na forma aguda que na forma crônica, e não nos níveis de HDL-colesterol. Houve correlação entre níveis de imunoglobulina E total e gama-globulinas e fração alfa-2 e beta-globulinas na forma aguda e entre beta e gama-globulinas nas formas aguda e crônica. Concluindo, alterações nos níveis de imunoglobulina G e imunoglobulina E totais e no perfil eletroforético podem ser importantes marcadores para prognóstico e acompanhamento terapêutico da PCM, especialmente por ser a eletroforese de proteínas um exame laboratorial simples que pode ser empregado em situações onde a sorologia específica para PCM não está disponível. Adicionalmente, níveis da fração gama-globulinas acima de 2,0g/dL podem sugerir que o paciente esteja desenvolvendo uma forma mais grave de PCM.Palavras-chaves: Imunoglobulina G. Imunoglobulina E. HDL-colesterol. Paracoccidioidomicose. Eletroforese. Enzyme-linked immunoSorbent assay.

Profile of total IgG, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 levels in sera of patients with paracoccidioidomycosis: treatment follow-up using Mexo and rPb27 as antigens in an ELISA

“…As shown in other studies, total IgG is generally detected at high levels in PCM patients, especially in the acute form or in severe disease, regardless of the antigen used (Biagioni et al 1984, Baida et al 1999, Juvenale et al 2001, Marquez et al 2009). It is worth noting that all patients in this study had the chronic form of PCM and even with this form of PCM, they all presented with high levels of total IgG using Mexo or rPb27 as the antigen.…”

Dynamics of plasma micronutrient concentrations and their correlation with serum proteins and thyroid hormones in patients with paracoccidioidomycosis

“…Low levels of albumin and elevated levels of globulins have been found in studies on patients with PCM [22, 23]. Marquez et al [24] analyzed the blood serum proteins of 30 patients with chronic PCM and 12 patients with acute PCM, and found high concentrations of globulins in both groups. The present study revealed elevated globulin levels in patients, which progressively decreased after starting treatment, particularly by the fourth month, thus confirming the results of previous studies [24, 25].…”

“…Marquez et al [24] analyzed the blood serum proteins of 30 patients with chronic PCM and 12 patients with acute PCM, and found high concentrations of globulins in both groups. The present study revealed elevated globulin levels in patients, which progressively decreased after starting treatment, particularly by the fourth month, thus confirming the results of previous studies [24, 25]. Lower levels of albumin were also identified in PCM patients before treatment, and an increase was observed in the first month of treatment.…”