Changes of CRP serum levels in pulmonary TB patients with AFB smear-positive sputum before and two months after receiving anti-tuberculosis drug treatment

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) produces an inflammatory process of the lung parenchyma. While effective treatment of pulmonary TB and disease resolution processes have an impact on decreasing inflammatory conditions of the pulmonary parenchyma. This stimulates researchers to investigate changes in lung parenchymal inflammatory conditions detected from changes of C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels pre and post two months of anti-tuberculosis drug treatment. Objectives: To know the changes of CRP serum levels in pulmonary TB patients with Acid Fast Bacillus (AFB) smear-positive sputum before and 2 months after receiving anti-tuberculosis drug treatment. Method: This study used prospective cohort study design, conducted in pulmonary outpatient unit at Dr. Soetomo General Hospital Surabaya from March to June 2013. Sample size was 30 pulmonary TB patients with AFB smear-positive sputum. AFB sputum grading and CRP serum level was measured before and 2 months after receiving anti-tuberculosis drug treatment. International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) scale was used for AFB sputum grading. CRP serum was measured using immunoturbidimetric method. Result: The average CRP serum levels of pre anti-tuberculosis drug treatment were 6.48 ± 4.27 mg/dL in males and 6.28 ± 5.26 mg/dL in females. After two months of anti-tuberculosis drug treatment, the average CRP serum levels were 1.21 ± 1.94 mg/dL in males and 1.21 ± 1.22 mg/dL in females. Sputum conversion occurred in 27 out of 30 samples after two months of anti-tuberculosis drug treatment. Conclusion: The CRP serum levels was not significantly different in patients with pulmonary TB who experienced sputum conversion compared to patients without sputum conversion after two months of anti-tuberculosis drug treatment.