RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of interferon-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) in the auxiliary diagnosis of tuberculosis and the judgment of the severity of disease. METHODS: From February, 2013 to February, 2017, a total of 193 patients with TB admitted in our hospital and 84 healthy control subjects were recruited consecutively. The peripheral blood plasma levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and IP-10 were detected using liquid phase chip (Luminex) technique. According to the number of lung fields affected by TB, the patients were divided into group A (with lesions in 1-2 lung fields), group B (3-4 lung fields) and group C (5-6 lung fields), The expressions of IFN-γ and IP-10 in 3 groups were compared. RESULTS: The plasma levels of IP-10 were significantly higher in TB patients than in the control subjects (P < 0.05), but IFN-γ levels were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05). Among the TB patients, plasma IP-10 levels was the highest in group C (P < 0.05), and IFN-γ levels did not differ significantly among the 3 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Plasma IP-10 has a certain reference value in the auxiliary diagnosis of active tuberculosis and the judgment of the severity of the disease.