New biological markers in diagnosis and follow-up of brucellosis cases

Abstract

Brucellosis remains a significant public health issue in some parts of the world. It is clear that new laboratory methods are needed to diagnose brucellosis. Currently, no test method meets the criteria of high specificity, sensitivity, reliability, and low cost for the diagnosis of brucellosis, which could also predict chronicity. This study was conducted based on the data from a study conducted in 2015, which aimed to reveal genes with different transcript levels in chronic and acute patients and to evaluate their effects on the progression to chronicity by studying mRNA microarray and miRNA array in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in acute, chronic brucellosis and healthy control groups. According to the data obtained in this study, a second study was conducted to determine new markers that could aid in diagnosis and/or predict chronicity, with the most prominent gene products being [ABI3 (ABL interactor), PIAS4 (Protein Inhibitor of Activated STAT 4), PPP2R4 (Protein Phosphatase 2 Phosphatase Activator), DDIT4L (DNA Damage Inducible Transcript 4 Like), WDR33 (WD Repeat-Containing Protein 33), and IDO (Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase)]. The study speculates that increased levels of ABI3, CLEC12B, PPP2R4 and decreased levels of DDIT4L, PIAS4, and IDO may be used as markers for the diagnosis of acute brucellosis, decreased levels of ABI3, CLEC12B, PPP2R4 and increased levels of DDIT4L, PIAS4, IDO may be assessed for treatment response. The study also suggested that maintaining consistent levels of ABI3, CLEC12B, PIAS4, PPP2R4, and IDO in subsequent titers may serve as a potential marker to predict chronic progression.