Publication:

Immunoglobulin profile in pulmonary tuberculosis in endemically prevalent Kashmiri population, Kashmir, India

Background Kashmir valley is endemically prevalent destination for tuberculosis. The role of T cell mediated immunity is very well known in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. However, the B cell immune response has been studied less often. Thus, it was very interesting to estimate the levels of serum immunoglobulins in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods Serum levels of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were evaluated in 100 adult patients of untreated sputum positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the age group of 20-65 years (36.42±8.95) and 50 controls of the same age group (34.26±9.46). The Immunoglobulins were estimated using single radial immunodiffusion method of Mancini et al.

Results The mean IgG and IgA levels were observed to be significantly increased in the patient group when compared with the controls (P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the IgM levels between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the immunoglobulin levels between the two sexes as also between the various defined age groups. The mean serum IgG levels showed significant correlation with the duration of illness (P<0.001-highly significant), while as the difference was insignificant in case of IgA and IgM. Further, the immunoglobulin levels did not show any significant correlation with the extent and the nature of lesion on chest radiography.

Conclusions Serum IgG and IgA levels were significantly increased in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis as compared to controls. However, no significant difference was observed in serum IgM levels.