Clinical and pathogenetic significance of antioxidant defense impairments in children with pseudotuberculosis

Objective. To assess the impact of changes in the content of ceruloplasmin and the activity of myeloperoxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase on an increase in the severity and development of a form of pseudotuberculosis progression in children, to determine prognostic criteria for the formation of a non-smooth progression of the disease. Patients and methods. 125 children with pseudotuberculosis of various severity and progression were examined. The control group consisted of 45 children with health group II. The content of ceruloplasmin, the total peroxidase activity of blood plasma, the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and myeloperoxidase were determined. Results. An increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase and catalase in the acute period of pseudotuberculosis in all groups of children was determined. During the period of early convalescence an increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase, and catalase against the background of comparable values of ceruloplasmin and glutathione peroxidase activity was observed in children with severe pseudotuberculosis. Conclusion. The results of the study prove that the mechanisms of non-smooth progression formation and an increase in the severity of pseudotuberculosis in children are mediated by an imbalance in the functioning of antiperoxides. A decrease in the activity of glutathione peroxidase due to an increase in the functioning of catalase in erythrocytes, no increase in the content of ceruloplasmin in the blood plasma during the acute period and the period of early convalescence serve as a prognostic criterion for the formation of a more severe degree and non-smooth progression of pseudotuberculosis. Key words: children, pseudotuberculosis, oxidative stress, antioxidant system