Clinical and bacteriological correlates of whole blood interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in newly detected cases of pulmonary TB

Abstract

Objective To determine the relationship of the capacity to produce interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in whole blood, bacteriological, hematological, radiographic and clinical presentations in new, HIV seronegative cases of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Methods 80 cases and 50 control subjects aged 15 years onwards, representative of Kasturba Hospital and Nursing schools of Wardha district of Maharashtra state in India were examined for their health condition with standard methodology. Results Among these TB patients, 73.8% were Quantiferon-TB gold (QFT) positive with IFN-γ concentration as 0.35 IU or more and there was none in healthy controls. The mean IFN-γ concentrations varied between 9.58 IU (50-59 yrs) and 2.58 IU (⩾60 yrs), showing no trend. The differences in positivity and mean IFN-γconcentrations were statistically insignificant. Both the QFT positivity and IFN-γconcentrations were higher in normal lymphocyte percent as compared to below and above normal, but differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions The IFN-γconcentrations are not correlated with any of the predictors of disease severity studied, the levels are significantly higher in observation group as compared to healthy group.