Abstract:
Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a global disease affecting about one third of the world’s population with
its attendant mortality and morbidity. Acute phase proteins have been used in monitoring the progress of
infection. In the present study serum ceruloplasmin and albumin levels were determined in 75 patients of
tuberculosis, of which 25 were freshly diagnosed tuberculosis patients (group I), 25 were those who were taking
treatment from 1-2 months from the day of diagnosis (group II), 25 were completely treated patients (group III). 25
age and sex matched healthy controls were selected for the study. Mean + SD of serum ceruloplasmin levels in
controls, group I, group II, group III was found to be (31.896+7.122) , (61.32+ 5.744), (50.400+5.058),
(33.920+6.700) respectively. Mean + albumin levels in controls, group I, group II, group III was found to be
(4.502+0.451) , (3.098+ 0.881), (3.384+0.593), (4.488+0.646) respectively. Serum ceruloplasmin albumin ratio in
group I increases (0.025+0.017) p(0.001) than group II (0.015+0.003) and group III (0.008+0.002) and it was
significantly lower in group II and group III. Therefore serum ceruloplasmin albumin ratio can be used as marker to
assist the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of pulmonary tuberculosis patients.
