Effect of the treatment of brucellosis on leukocyte superoxide dismutase activity and plasma nitric oxide level.

Background: The mechanisms by which brucellae evade intracellular killing by polymorphonuclear leukocytes are incompletely understood. In this study, we evaluated changes of leukocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma total nitrite as an indicator of nitric oxide (NO) levels during brucellosis therapy. Methods: Thirty-two patients with acute brucellosis, 27 patients with chronic brucellosis and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients with acute brucellosis were tested for leukocyte SOD activity and plasma total nitrite levels before, during (21st day), and at the end (45th day) of the combined therapy of rifampicin and doxycycline. The same parameters were also investigated in chronic cases and controls. Results: The SOD activities were lower in patients with acute brucellosis before therapy compared with those 21 and 45 days after starting therapy (P 0.05). Conclusions: In the present study, leukocyte SOD activity was found to be decreased in patients with acute brucellosis. Enzyme activity was increased by treatment, finally reaching the activity of healthy controls. Using an antioxidant agent in addition to classical antimicrobial therapy for acute brucellosis might be a therapeutic approach.