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Serum Zinc Concentrations in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
M K Mazumder1, M A Rahim, S Ahmed
1Dr Mohammad Kamruzzaman Mazumder, Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine, Ibn Sina Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh;
Mymensingh Medical Journal : MMJ
|August 25, 2018
Summary
Low serum zinc levels are linked to pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in adults. This finding suggests a potential role for zinc in immune deficiency and warrants further investigation into zinc supplementation for PTB patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Trace Element Metabolism
- Public Health
Background:
- Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant health and economic burden in Bangladesh.
- Zinc is a critical trace element essential for immune system function, particularly cell-mediated immunity.
- Maintaining adequate zinc levels is crucial for infection resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between serum zinc concentrations and pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in adults.
- To determine if lower zinc levels correlate with increased susceptibility to PTB.
- To explore the relationship between serum zinc, age, and body mass index (BMI) in PTB patients.
Main Methods:
- An analytical case-control study was conducted with 43 newly diagnosed PTB patients and 48 TB-negative controls.
- Serum zinc concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
- Data on age and BMI were collected and analyzed alongside serum zinc levels.
Main Results:
- Serum zinc concentrations were significantly lower in the PTB group (840.9±230.0 μgm/l) compared to the control group (965.6±219.9 μgm/l) (P=0.01).
- Serum zinc showed a negative correlation with age (P=0.023) in both groups.
- Serum zinc concentrations were lower in males than females in the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- Lower serum zinc concentrations in PTB patients suggest a state of relative immune deficiency.
- Routine assessment of serum zinc in PTB patients is recommended.
- Further research should evaluate the outcomes of zinc supplementation in PTB management.
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