JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

The objective of this study is to incorporate serum Ferroxidase as a surrogate marker of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) Fifty patients with PTB whose sputum samples were positive for acid fast bacilli (Group I) and 50 subject who were completely treated for PTB (Group II) were compared with 50 healthy controls. The difference, were similarly found between male and female Group I subject and Controls in serem ferroxidase levels. Serum Ferroxidase was measured by end point method of Ozcan Erel at 600nm. Mean ± SD of serum Ferroxidase in control, Group I and Group II were 800.87±130IU/L, 1616.02±216 IU/L and 851.12±201 IU/L respectively. Serum Ferroxidase in Group I was significantly higher as compared to control (P<0.001) whereas in Group II it was not significant when compared with control. Serum Ferroxidase which was higher in newly diagnosed PTB patients falls back to normal level on complete treatment with ATT. Hence serum Ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin can be used both as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of PTB.

Key-words: Ferroxidase, Ceruloplasmin, Pulmonary TB.