European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the level of CRP in the serum as a potential biomarker of the disease activity in pulmonary TB.
Materials & Methods: In this particular research, there were a total of fifty cases of pulmonary TB, split evenly between males and females. After receiving their signed agreement, everyone was enrolled in the study. Cases that had extrapulmonary TB or secondary tuberculosis were not included in the study because they did not meet the exclusion criteria. Information such as age, gender, and other demographics was recorded. 2 ml blood was withdrawn from the patient and was sent was quantitative analysis to assess the CRP level.
Results: There were 52% newly detected cases of pulmonary TB, 22% undergoing anti-tubercular treatment, 14% cured cases, 8% treatment defaulters and 4% treatment resistant. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean CRP level (mg/dl) in the newly detected TB patients was found to be 53.55±6.11. Those undergoing anti-tubercular treatment had a mean CRP value of 43.69±4.85. CRP in patients who had completed their treatment was 4.63±1.33. Defaulters had a mean CRP of 66.74±5.28 and the treatment resistant had a mean CRP of 86.11±4.98. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: The authors discovered that CRP levels were elevated in TB, but that these levels dropped and returned to normal by the time therapy was complete