Changes in the immune and endocrine responses of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing specific treatment

BONGIOVANNI B; DIAZ A; DATTILIO L; SANTUCCI N; DIDOLI G; LIOI S; NANNINI L; GARDEÑEZ W; BOGUE C; BESEDOVSKY H; DEL REY A; BOTTASSO O; BAY ML

ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

BLACKWELL PUBLISHING

Lugar: New York; Año: 2012 vol. 1262 p. 10 - 15

0077-8923

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-1B 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.