Alterations in serum levels of trace elements in tuberculosis and HIV infections

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate serum concentrations of trace elements in tuberculosis (TB) patients with or with out human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection before and after anti-TB chemotherapy. Subjects: A total of 155 TB patients, 74 of which were coinfected with HIV, and 31 healthy controls from Gondar, Ethiopia. Methods: Serum levels of copper, zinc, selenium and iron were determined using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer from all subjects at baseline and from 44 TB patients (22 with HIV coinfection) at the end of an intensive phase of anti-TB chemotherapy. Results: Compared with the control group, the concentrations of iron, zinc and selenium were significantly lower (Po0.05) while that of copper and copper/zinc ratio was significantly higher (Po0.05) in the serum of TB patients. TB patients with HIV coinfection had significantly lower serum zinc and selenium concentrations and significantly higher copper/zinc ratio compared to that in TB patients without HIV coinfection (Po0.05). The serum concentration of zinc had significantly increased at the end of intensive phase of anti-TB chemotherapy in patients without HIV coinfection (Po0.05). An increase in serum selenium level was observed in TB patients with or without HIV coinfection after therapy. On the contrary, serum copper concentration and copper/zinc ratio declined significantly after anti-TB chemotherapy irrespective of HIV serostatus (Po0.05). Conclusions:The results indicate that TB patients have altered profile of trace elements in their sera. This warrants the need for further investigations so that strategies for trace elements supplementation can be planned in addition to their potential as diagnostic parameters in monitoring responses to anti-TB chemotherapy.

Prevalence and associated factors of undernutrition among adult tuberculosis patients in some selected public health facilities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study

“…Other Ethiopian based studies have also shown a higher result. A study conducted in Gondar, 65.4 % [16] and Sidama, 77.9 % [15] revealed higher prevalence of undernutrition among adult tuberculosis patients compared to this study. This may be attributed to the difference in study context (urban dweller TB patients) and in socio-economic status of the society in those areas.…”

“…A study in Gondar showed that the prevalence of undernutrition in adult TB patients co-infected with HIV was 71.6 %, which is higher when compared with the finding of this study 25.9 %. This could be due to the fact that the study in Gondar has included high number of TB/HIV co-infected patients who were more exposed to undernutrition because of double burden [16].…”

“…Z score at 95 % CI = 1.96, margin of error = 4 %, the prevalence of undernutrition among TB patients in Gondar 65.4 % [16] giving a sample size of 550. Since the numbers (470) of TB patient who have follow up at public health facilities in the study area were less than 10,000 we used correction formula which yields a sample size of 253.…”

Copper-Zinc ratio and nutritional status in colorectal cancer patients during the perioperative period

“…Tuberculosis patients had a high level of copper and copper/zinc ratio when compared to healthy controls, and the alteration was more pronounced in those coinfected with HIV 27 .…”

Profile of Micronutrients, Electrolytes, Haematology and CD4 Count in HIV Infected Subjects on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

“…Top on the list are those micronutrients that are involved in immune functions and antioxidant system. 7,[8][9][10] Antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins C and E often present a negative correlation between normal and individuals suffering from pathogenic infections. The levels of these parameters in subjects undergoing HAART therapy will serve as an indicator to determine its effectiveness.…”