Plasma free amino acid concentrations in healthy Guatemalan adults and in patients with classic dengue

Background: Plasma free amino acid patterns in health and disease have been reported. However, amino acid concentrations in adult populations in devel oping countries and in patients with dengue, as a model for an acute infect ious viral disease endemic to the tropics, have not been reported. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the amino acid profil e in both healthy Guatemalan adults from different socioeconomic background s and at 3 time points during the course of classic dengue. Design: The study was carried out in Guatemala and included measurement of plasma free amino acids in 22 healthy control subjects (14 low income, 8 mi ddle class) and 17 febrile patients. Measurements of amino acids were repea ted within a 48-h interval in 20 of the healthy Guatemalans. In 9 patients with dengue, amino acids were assayed 3 times: on admission to a local hosp ital in the coastal plain of Guatemala, on hospital discharge, and 7 d afte r hospital discharge. Results: Branched-chain amino acid concentrations in healthy adults and den gue patients in Guatemala were lower than normal values reported in the lit erature for healthy Swedish adults. With the exception of increased phenyla lanine concentrations and an increased ratio of phenylalanine to tyrosine, all amino acids as well as the Fischer molar ratio were decreased in the ac ute phase of dengue. Conclusions: Healthy Guatemalans have different amino acid patterns than do Swedish subjects independent of socioeconomic status. The systemic viral d isease dengue is associated with changes in the plasma free amino acid patt ern, reflecting infection-related alterations in amino acid metabolism.