IL-16 and Apoptosis Markers in Whipple's Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Benoit Marie Fenollar, Florence Raoult, Didier Mege, Jean-Louis Mege
Primary Institution: Unité des Rickettsies, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France
Hypothesis
Are circulating levels of IL-16 and apoptosis markers increased in patients with Whipple's disease?
Conclusion
Increased levels of IL-16 and nucleosomes in patients with Whipple's disease provide simple and non-invasive tools for diagnosis and prognosis.
Supporting Evidence
- Circulating levels of IL-16 and nucleosomes were significantly increased in untreated patients with Whipple's disease compared to control subjects.
- Successful antibiotic treatment decreased levels of IL-16 and nucleosomes to those of control subjects.
- Patients with relapses exhibited high levels of IL-16 and nucleosomes similar to untreated patients.
Takeaway
Doctors can check blood levels of certain markers to see if someone has Whipple's disease, which is a rare infection.
Methodology
The study monitored circulating levels of IL-16 and nucleosomes in 36 patients with Whipple's disease and compared them to control subjects.
Limitations
The sample size is small, and results should be considered preliminary.
Participant Demographics
27 men and 9 women, aged 35 to 78.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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