Neopterin is a product of guanosine triphosphate which is produced by its catabolism. Neopterin belongs to the pteridines group of chemicals and synthesized by the human macrophages when stimulated by the cytokine interferon-gamma. They are also indicative of pro-inflammatory immune status and are markers of cellular immune system activation.

 

Neopterin has been used in various diseases including viral infections like hepatitis B and C, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and bacterial infections like M. tuberculosis, H. pylori etc. they have also been used as a marker for diseases like malaria, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and for malignant tumours. The concentrations of Neopterin in blood serum, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid make it an efficient marker for cellular immune activation.

 

In the present study conducted by Justa et al, included 22 HCV-positive group and 10 HCV-negative group of recipients of LDRT. These groups were monitored and checked for serum neopterin levels by Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The HCV positive group was checked 3 times before transplantation, on 10th day and 6 months after transplantation. The HCV negative group was checked for neopterin levels 2 times on 10th day and after 6 months.

 

The results showed significant increase in neopterin levels in group with HCV positive. But no association was observed with HCV viral load or allograft rejection. Thus, this shows that serum neopterin detected in HCV positive patients on 10th day of transplantation did not predict rejection. Further studies in this direction can help in understanding the role of neopterin in chronic allograft nephropathy.