Low Serum Levels of Zinc and Copper Are Associated With Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a curable infectious disease that remains a major health concern in India, causing significant morbidity and mortality globally. Concomitant malnutrition in TB patients, particularly deficiencies in crucial micronutrients such as zinc and copper, is an underexplored area in TB research. These micronutrients play vital roles in immunological defense and are often depleted in TB patients.

This is a case-control, ethics-approved study that included 50 consenting active TB patients from the Department of Pulmonary Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal, India. Patients were selected based on smear-positive microscopy for acid-fast bacilli or a positive cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test (CB-NAAT) with a compatible clinical history. Additionally, 50 age-, gender-, and socioeconomically matched healthy controls were enrolled. Venous blood samples were collected and centrifuged, and the serum was quantitatively analyzed for zinc and copper using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).

The mean serum zinc and copper levels in TB patients were 59.92 µg/dL and 161.48 µg/dL, respectively, compared to 80.91 µg/dL and 102.74 µg/dL in healthy controls.

Lower zinc levels in TB patients compared with healthy controls highlight the need for zinc supplementation through diet or medication. Further clinical trials are recommended to assess its impact on prognosis and therapeutic outcomes in Central India.