Serum prolidase activity in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Aim. To investigate serum prolidase activity (SPA) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Material and methods. Twenty-nine PTB patients and 32 controls were included in the study. PTB patients (cavitary and non-cavitary) and controls were compared in terms of mean SPA. Correlations were evaluated between SPA and acute phase reactants. Results. Mean SPA was significantly higher in PTB patients than in the control group. Mean SPA was significantly higher in patients with cavitary TB than non-cavitary TB. Mean SPA in patients with mild PTB was lower than patients with moderate and severe disease. We found significant correlations between SPA and CRP, ESR, albumin, platelet counts, HDL-cholesterol and LDH activity. Conclusion. This study has shown that PTB patients have higher SPA than controls. The increase in SPA might be related to tissue destruction, increased immunoglobulin, complement levels and increased fibroblastic activity; all of which are involved in the natural history of PTB.

Key Words::

• Infection
• exopeptidases
• collagen
• inflammation
• lung

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.