Plasma copper and zinc levels in pulmonary tuberculosis

Khanna, B.K.; Kumar, R.; Mukerji, P.K.; Chowdhury, A.R. and Kamboj, V.P. (1982) Plasma copper and zinc levels in pulmonary tuberculosis. Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, 29 (3). pp. 179-184.

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Abstract

A study of plasma copper and zinc level was conducted in 46 normal subjects and 94 patients of pulmonary tuberculosis. 64 patients had received specific anti-tuberculosis therapy for over one month and 30 were previously untreated. Plasma copper and zinc levels were recorded initially in all patients and subsequently after 1, 2 & 3 months chemotherapy in the latter group ouly. Itwas found that pulmonary tuberculosis is characterised by rise in level of plasma copper and decline in plasma zinc level. Only 14 patients did not register any alteration in their levels Highly significant correlation was established between the level of these trace elements and the presence of acid-fast bacilli in the sputum, extent of pulmonary involvement, and the nature of lesions seen on chest X-ray. Clinical, bacteriological and radiological improvement following effective therapy led to partial reversal of these changes. The depression of plasma zinc level was found to be more pronounced and a highly sensitive index of tuberculous activity compared to elevation of plasma copper level.

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