Ustun, CemalTegin, IbrahimGeyik, Mehmet Faruk2024-12-242024-12-2420121300-02922146-9040https://doi.org/10.5336/medsci.2011-25720https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12604/7880Objective: To determine the alterations of serum copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) levels and Cu/Zn ratio in patients with brucellosis. Material and Methods: A total of 170 individuals were included in the study. Of these, 45 (26.5%) currently had acute or sub-acute brucellosis, 35 (20.6%) were previously diagnosed with acute or sub-acute brucellosis and successfully treated, and 90 (52.9%) were healthy volunteers. After fasting overnight for 10 hours, 5 ml of venous blood was taken from all subjects. Serum Cu and Zn levels were measured using a Unicam 929 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. SPSS 16.0 was used for data analysis. Results: Mean serum Cu levels of 45 patients with acute or sub-acute brucellosis, 35 patients previously diagnosed with acute or sub-acute brucellosis and 90 healthy volunteers were 88.6 +/- 26, 58.7 +/- 13 and 56.7 +/- 16 mu g/dL, respectively. Mean serum Zn levels of 45 patients with acute or sub-acute brucellosis, 35 patients previously diagnosed with and treated successfully for acute or sub-acute brucellosis and 90 healthy volunteers were 38.3 +/- 12, 58.5 +/- 14, and 55.8 +/- 13 mu g/dL, respectively. Serum Cu levels (p<0.001) and Cu/Zn ratios (p<0.001) were statistically significantly higher while serum Zn levels (p<0.001) were lower in patients with acute or sub-acute brucellosis when compared to the individuals who previously diagnosed with acute or sub-acute brucellosis and the healthy volunteers. Conclusion: This study revealed significant alterations of serum Cu and Zn levels, and Cu/Zn ratios in patients with acute or sub-acute brucellosis. Serum Cu, Zn, and Cu/Zn ratios may be available biomarkers in the course of acute or sub-acute brucellosis.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessBrucellosiscopperzinctrace elementsserumbiological markersArticle324979983N/AWOS:000309698500011Q42-s2.0-8486011638910.5336/medsci.2011-25720