Decreasing oxidative stress in response to treatment in patients with brucellosis: could it be used to monitor treatment?

SummaryObjectivesThe aims of this study were to evaluate oxidant and antioxidant status in patients with acute brucellosis before and after therapy, and to determine whether this index could be used to monitor the treatment of brucellosis.MethodsThirty patients with a diagnosis of acute brucellosis and 37 healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured in patients before and after therapy, and an oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. These measurements were also taken for the healthy control group and the values were compared.ResultsPlasma levels of TOS and OSI were significantly higher in patients with brucellosis before therapy as compared to the treated group (t: 11.19, p < 0.000 and t: 9.91, p < 0.000, respectively). After treatment, TOS and OSI levels were lower, whereas in contrast, TAS levels were significantly higher (t: −4.17, p < 0.000). TOS and OSI levels were found to be significantly higher in the patients before treatment than in the control group (t: 15.01, p < 0.000 and t: 15.00, p < 0.000, respectively). TAS levels in patients before treatment were lower than in the controls and the difference was significant (t: −8.03, p < 0.000). TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in the treated group than in the control group (t: 4.58, p < 0.000 and t: 9.91, p < 0.000, respectively). TAS levels in the treated group were lower than in the control group and the difference was significant (t: −3.02, p < 0.004).ConclusionReduced TAS capacity and elevated TOS levels may lead to considerable oxidative stress in brucellosis. Increased oxidative stress may cause severe oxidative damage in the body, and even though this damage ameliorates considerably with 6 weeks of treatment, normal healthy levels are not attained. In addition, it appears possible that these oxidant and antioxidant parameters could be used to monitor treatment.