There were no long-lasting effects of treatment on serum albumin, total cholesterol, retinol, zinc, or haemoglobin levels. The majority of subjects with low serum retinol levels indicated depleted liver reserves. Low serum retinol levels in at least 75% of both patients and controls likely reflected poor dietary intake. Additionally, the higher percentage of patients with low retinol levels may have been attributed to urinary losses of retinol during infection and the use of immunosuppressive drugs. This evidence concerns the gene ALB and infection.