Comparison of serum and urine neopterin concentrations in patients with HIV-1 infection

Urine and serum neopterin concentrations are now widely used to monitor patients with HIV-1 infection. However, there are no published studies comparing the levels in urine and serum, and relating both to the patients' immune status. Urine and serum neopterin concentrations correlated closely in our study population of 37 HIV-1 seropositive patients (34 homosexuals, 3 drug addicts) and 10 HIV-1 seronegative homosexuals. Our data further show that urine and serum neopterin concentrations correlate almost identically with the clinical and immunological presentation of HIV-1 infected individuals, as expressed by the Walter Reed Staging classification. In addition, there was no difference between the correlation of neopterin concentrations in either serum or urine with the Quetelet indices. It will depend on the clinical situation whether blood or urine sampling is preferred. Collection and handling of urine samples from HIV infected patients is less risky to health care personnel in HIV settings.