Research Article, J Virol Antivir Res Vol: 3 Issue: 4
Increased Serum Kynurenine Level is Associated with Severity of Kidney Injury in Puumala Hantavirus Infection
Mahmoud Sadeghi1*, Imad Lahdou1, Stefan Mehrle2, MojdehHeidary Navid2, Volker Daniel1, Martin Zeier3, Paul Schnitzler2, Gerhard Opelz1 and Peter Terness1 | |
1Department of Transplantation Immunology, University of Heidelberg,ImNeuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany | |
2Department of Infectious Diseases, Virology, University of Heidelberg,ImNeuenheimer Feld 324, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany | |
3Department of Nephrology, University of Heidelberg, ImNeuenheimer Feld 162, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany | |
Corresponding author : Mahmoud Sadeghi Department of Transplantation ImmunologyImNeuenheimer, Feld 30569120, Heidelberg, Germany Tel: +49-6221-56-4017; Fax: +49-6221-56-4200 E-mail: mahmoud.sadeghi@med.uniheidelberg.de |
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Received: March 21, 2014 Accepted: November 07, 2014 Published: November 12, 2014 | |
Citation: Sadeghi M, Lahdou I, Mehrle S, Navid MH, Daniel V, et al.(2014) Increased Serum Kynurenine Level is Associated with Severity of Kidney Injury in Puumala Hantavirus Infection. J Virol Antivir Res 3:4. doi:10.4172/2324-8955.1000130 |
Abstract
Background: Nephropathiaepidemica (NE) caused by Puumalahantavirus is a mild type of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). An immune-mediated pathogenesis is discussed for NE. Catabolism of tryptophan (Trp) along the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway is dependent on indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), an enzyme whose activity is induced during immune responses. Because viral infections can induce strong immune responses, we wanted to analyse whether there is a correlation between the severity of HFRS and Kyn or Trp serum concentration.
Methods: We retrospectively studied 60 patients hospitalised with acute Puumalahantavirus infection during an epidemic in Germany in the year 2012. The infection was confirmed by positive antihantavirus IgG and IgM serum antibody. Plasma levels of Kyn and Trp were measured by mass spectrometry on admission in the hospital. Based on median glomerular filtration rate (GFR 32 mL/min/1.73 m2), patients were divided into two groups: with mild (n=21) and severe disease (n=39). Results: Serum Kyn and Kyn/Trp ratios were significantly higher (p<0.0001) in hantavirus-infected patients than in healthy controls. Patients with severe disease had a longer hospital stay than patients with mild disease (p=0.001) and their serum CRP (p=0.004), Kyn (p<0.001) and Kyn/Trp (p=0.001) ratios were significantly higher than those of patients with mild disease. Sensitivity and specificity, as well as logistic regression analysis showed that among the analysed parameters serum Kyn level was the most sensitive and specific inflammatory marker associated with renal function.
Conclusion: High serum Kyn concentrations in patients with NE caused by Puumalahantavirus are associated with a severe course of disease.