Interleukin 18 and interleukin 22 as important immune markers in patients with tuberculosis

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is a lung infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). TB is a leading cause of death globally, accounting for approximately 1.5 million deaths per year. The aim of this article was to evaluate the immunological role of Interleukin (IL) 18 and Interleukin 22 in patients infected with MTB and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis MDRTB. A total of 182 individuals suspected with MTB admitted to the tuberculosis center in AL-Najaf City, Iraq. A sputum acid-fast stain was performed for each individual and GeneXpert® heminested real time PCR has been performed for MDRTB detection. The two Interleukins was measurement in serum of infected individual using ELISA technique. Out of 182 individuals, there were 20 infected with MTB and 15 infected with MDRTB. Serum IL18 and IL22 levels were significantly elevated (P<0.05) in patients with MTB and MDRTB groups as compared with control subjects. The MDRTB group showed higher serum IL18 and IL22 levels (P<0.05) than the MTB group. This study showed that IL18 and IL22 had a relationship with MTB and might be used to help diagnose TB; Clinical diagnosis of TB may be aided by these tests.