Changes in the immune-endocrine response in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing specific treatment

BONGIOVANNI, BETTINA; DÍAZ, ARIANA; D'ATTILIO, LUCIANO; SANTUCCI, NATALIA; DÍDOLI, GRISELDA; LIOI, SUSANA; MURO, SONIA; NANNINI, LUIS; BOTTASSO, OSCAR; BAY, MARÍA LUISA

Dresdem

Congreso; 8th International ISNIM Congress; 2011

 We evaluated the immune and endocrine status following anti-tuberculous treatment in HIV-negative patients with newly diagnosed tuberculosis (TB). Treatment led to a decrease in IL-6, IL-1â and C reactive protein levels. Cortisol levels decreased throughout the anti-TB treatment, particularly after 4 months, but changes were less pronounced than those seen in pro-inflammatory mediators. Specific therapy resulted in increased DHEA levels, which peaked after 4 months and started to decline after 6 months of treatment, reaching levels below those detected at inclusion. In most patients, DHEAS levels remained unchanged, although a trend to increased concentrations were observed in a few cases 3 months after the treatment was finished. Specific therapy also resulted in more balanced cortisol/DHEA and cortisol/DHEAS ratios. Etiologic treatment involves favorable immune and endocrine changes, which may account for its beneficial effects.