Serum levels of interleukin-6 in contacts of active pulmonary tuberculosis

Lopes, Fernando Henrique Azevedo; Assis, Lívia Coelho de; Pires Neto, Roberto da Justa; Botelho, Karine Paschoal; Sá, Kélvia Miranda; Frota, Cristiane Cunha; Correia, José Walter; Freitas, Max Victor Carioca

INTRODUCTION:

It is estimated that over two billion individuals are infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis worldwide. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is an important cytokine whose serum levels are commonly high in active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). IL-6 screening in contacts of patients with TB may be useful to monitor the progress of the infectious process and to infer the risk of progression to active disease.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the serum levels of interleukin-6 in contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and to compare them with two other groups a) patients affected by active pulmonary tuberculosis; b) non-contacts of tuberculosis.

METHODS:

Cross-sectional study with 15 contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, selected according to the protocol recommended by the Ministry of Health. The serum levels of interleukin-6 were measured by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The same test was also applied in the two comparison groups 38 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (confirmed by clinical examination, X-rays of the chest and baciloscopy) and 63 non-contacts (healthy blood donors).

RESULTS:

In the contact group, the median IL-6 concentration was 1.7 pg/ml (0.96-4.8 pg/ml). For those affected by active pulmonary tuberculosis and non-contact individuals, these values corresponded to 4.3 pg/ml (0.5-24 pg/ml) and 0.5 pg/ml (0-2.8 pg/ml), respectively (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION:

Contacts of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis had significantly higher IL-6 serum levels (3.4 times higher) in relation to non-contact individuals, but on a lower level (2.5 times lower) when compared to those affected by active disease.

BVS IEC

Instituto Evandro Chagas

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