Assessment of serum levels of C-reactive proteins as an indicator of disease activity in pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The present study was conducted to assess serum levels of C-reactive proteins as an indicator of disease activity in pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 60 new sputum-positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 60 healthy subjects in 2020. Baseline serum C-reactive proteins (CRP) levels were measured and the values were correlated to clinical and radiological findings. Results: The mean CRP level (mg/dl) in patients with fever was 66.5 mg/dl and it was 28.2 mg/dl among those without fever. Mean level off CRP in haemoptysis was 50.3 mg/dl and 54.2 mg/dl in those without haemoptysis. Mean levels of CRP were 76.2 mg/dl and 26.5 mg/dl among those with and without tachycardia respectively. Mean level was 78.4 mg/dl with tachypnoea and 27.1 mg/dl among those with no tachypnoea. The mean CRP level in patients with minimal disease was 24.2 mg/dl, and with moderate disease it was 41.8 mg/dl and with advanced disease it was 90.5 mg/dl (P