Aim of the Work: To study the possible relationship between severity of tuberculin skin test reaction and serum albumin level in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis.
Subjects and Methods: 40 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis just before initiation of treatment, that were selected from chest outpatient clinic, Benha university hospital, they were classified into:Group A included twenty patients with serum albumin level below 3.5g/dl. This group included 17 males (85%) and 3 females (15%) with their ages ranging from 23 to 70 years. And Group B included twenty patients with serum albumin level ≥ 3.5g/dl. this group included 16 males (80%) and 4 females (20%) with their ages ranging from 15 to 68 years. . The patients were subjected for full clinical evaluation, History of any other co-morbidity that may affect tuberculin skin test reactions were excluded like previous anti tuberculosis treatment.HIV infection, alcoholism and drug abuse, chronic renal failure, neoplasmic diseases and chronic use of corticosteroids. General &local examination, laboratory tests including complete blood count (CBC),erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).liver and kidney function tests, plain chest x-ray (P.A. and lateral views), Tuberculin skin test using Mantoux technique, Sputum for acid fast bacilli by Z. N. stain for three consecutive days and Serum albumin level at the same time of Tuberculin test.
Results: According to this study serum albumin level in group A was ranging from 1.5-3.4 gm/dl with mean 2.6±0.48 and in group B was ranging from 3.5-4.5 with mean 3.85±0.33. These results showed statistical significant difference between the two groups, In the present study, tuberculin skin test diameter in (group A) was ranging from 5-15mm with mean 7.5±3.94 and in (group B) was ranging from 12-30mm with mean 20.9±5.51. Which showed statistically significant difference between the two groups, in our study there was a statically significant positive correlation between intensity of tuberculin skin reaction at 72 hours and serum albumin levels in both group.
Conclusion:
Patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and lower serum albumin levels react with weaker skin responses to tuberculin test. |
