Observations on serum zinc in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis

Serum zinc was estimated in 41 cases (28 males and 13 females) of pulmonary tuberculosis and 18 matched controls. Significant fall was observed in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis (62.07 micrograms/dl) than in the controls (105.44 micrograms/dl). No change was observed in levels of zinc in both sexes and was unrelated to the extent of disease. Treatment with antituberculosis drugs for two months did not alter zinc levels.