Increased B-cell Activating Factor Levels in Children with Acute Brucellosis

Abstract

Objective: Brucellosis is a chronic infectious disease. We aimed to show the association of serum ‘A PRoliferation-Inducing Ligand (APRIL) (TNFSF13A)’ and ‘B-cell Activating Factor (BAFF)’ levels belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family in children with acute brucellosis. Methods: Fifty children with acute brucellosis and 35 healthy controls who were admitted during a two-year period between 2018 and 2020 were prospectively included in the study. All patients and healthy children were tested for complete blood counts, C-reactive protein, BAFF, and APRIL levels, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Results: The mean age of 50 patients with acute brucellosis was 10.2±3.6 years, and 37 (74%) of them was male. BAFF levels were significantly higher in children with acute brucellosis than the control group (548.6±253.4 vs. 280.5±83.6, p