Zinc status in patients with alveolar echinococcosis is related to diseaseprogression

Zinc is an essential trace element for immune function that plays a role in immune response against parasites. To determine a possible relationship be tween zinc level and disease status in alveolar echinococcosis (AE), we inv estigated serum concentrations of zinc, immunoglobulin (Ig)E, IgG, and C-re active protein (CRP) in 40 AE patients and 20 controls. Patients were class ified into three groups: group A: patients after curative surgery, group B: patients with stabilized disease, group C: patients with progressive disea se. Patients showed significantly higher levels of IgE and IgG than control s. Amounts of IgE and IgG were related to disease severity, achieving highe st levels in group C and lowest in group A. Zinc levels were comparable in patients and controls. However, there was an obvious association between zi nc concentration and disease severity. Zinc was far below the normal range in group C (median 9.2 mu mol/l) and significantly diminished compared to g roup B and controls. An inverse pattern was seen for CRP. In conclusion, lo wered zinc concentration in progressive cases may be caused by enhanced imm une activation but consumption of zinc by the growing parasite may also pla y a role. Furthermore, decreased zinc levels may contribute to the observed immunosuppression in AE.