Elevated levels of soluble urokinase receptor in serum from mycobacteria infected patients: Still looking for a marker of treatment efficacy

Abstract

In search for a serological marker, which may be used to monitor treatment efficacy in patients with extra-pulmonary mycobacterial infections, serum samples were collected prospectively from patients during a 6-months treatment period. The levels of soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) and soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor II (sTNFrII) were measured and compared with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (SR) and C-reactive protein levels (CRP). sTNFrII levels were elevated at the time of diagnosis and declined in parallel with traditional inflammation markers (SR and CRP). suPAR levels were elevated to more than double (median 7.7ng/ml, range 5.6–25.8) compared to levels previously reported for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The serum suPAR levels however remained high during the entire treatment period. This may reflect that significant inflammatory activity is continuing for more than 6 months in patients with extrapulmonary mycobacterial infections, despite adequate anti-tuberculosis treatment.