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Updated: Aug 14, 2025
Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis with the Xpert MTB/RIF Test
Published on: April 9, 2012
The diagnostic value of combined detection of microRNA-155, TNF-α and IL-37 for active pulmonary tuberculosis in the
Longmei Yu1, Haiyang Fu1, Haiyun Zhang1
1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University (The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong) Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
Objective:
To identify a panel of potential biomarkers consisting of microRNA-155 (miR-155), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-37 (IL-37) for the diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) infection in elderly patients.
Methods:
The serum expression of miR-155 and TNF-α in patients was measured by RT-qPCR, and the serum IL-37 level was determined by ELISA. The correlation between their expression and the features of active PTB patients was also analyzed. The AUCs of miR-155, TNF-α and IL-37 in diagnosing active PTB was calculated according to the ROC curves. The sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index of the three biomarkers alone or in combination for the active PTB diagnosis in the elderly were assessed.
Results:
miR-155, TNF-α, and IL-37 were overexpressed in the sera of elderly patients with active PTB. miR-155, TNF-α and IL-37 serum levels were enhanced in the elderly patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB relative to those with PTB only, and in patients with active TB infection in both lungs compared to those with unilateral lung infection. The AUCs of miR-155, TNF-α and IL-37 for the diagnosis of active PTB were 0.7920, 0.8734 and 0.7398, respectively. The combination of these three improved the sensitivity of the diagnosis (84.78%).
Conclusion:
miR-155, TNF-α and IL-37 were overexpressed in elderly patients with active PTB. The combined detection of serum miR-155/TNF-α/IL-37 expression has potential to serve as a diagnostic tool for active PTB in the elderly.
Insights
Biomarkers microRNA-155 (miR-155), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-37 (IL-37) show promise for diagnosing active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in elderly individuals. Their combined detection in serum offers a potential new diagnostic tool for active PTB in this population.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) poses diagnostic challenges, particularly in elderly populations.
- Identifying reliable biomarkers is crucial for early and accurate PTB diagnosis in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate microRNA-155 (miR-155), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-37 (IL-37) as potential serum biomarkers for active PTB diagnosis in the elderly.
- To assess the diagnostic performance of these biomarkers, individually and in combination.
Main Methods:
- Serum levels of miR-155 and TNF-α were measured using RT-qPCR.
- Serum IL-37 levels were determined by ELISA.
- Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to calculate AUCs and assess sensitivity and specificity.
Main Results:
- miR-155, TNF-α, and IL-37 were significantly overexpressed in the sera of elderly patients with active PTB.
- Higher serum levels correlated with more extensive disease (pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, bilateral lung involvement).
- The combination of these three biomarkers demonstrated improved diagnostic sensitivity (84.78%).
Conclusions:
- Serum miR-155, TNF-α, and IL-37 are elevated in elderly patients with active PTB.
- The combined detection of these biomarkers presents a promising diagnostic strategy for active PTB in the elderly population.
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