HLA-DR2 phenotype and plasma lysozyme, beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase levels in pulmonary tuberculosis.
METHODS
Tuberculosis Research Centre, Indian Council of Medical Research, Madras, India.


OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the role of HLA-Class II genes/gene products on phagocyte enzymes such as lysozyme, beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase in the plasma of pulmonary tuberculosis patients.


METHODS
Serological determination of HLA-DR and -DQ antigens was carried out in 54 active and 84 inactive pulmonary tuberculosis (quiescent) patients and 36 healthy control subjects. The levels of lysozyme, beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase were measured in the plasma of tuberculosis patients and control subjects.


RESULTS
Increased lysozyme levels were observed in active pulmonary tuberculosis patients. beta-glucuronidase activity was higher in inactive-TB than in active-TB patients and control subjects. HLA-DR2 positive patients showed a lower lysozyme level than -DR2 negative patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Increase in the plasma lysozyme level in active TB reveals the active stage of the disease. Further, increase in the activity of beta-glucuronidase in inactive-TB patients reveals the quiescent stage of the disease. The low level of lysozyme in HLA-DR2 positive patients may also be one of the possible factors involved in susceptibility to tuberculosis.
Selvaraj
P
P
Tuberculosis Research Centre, Indian Council of Medical Research, Madras, India.
Kannapiran
M
M
Reetha
A M
AM
Uma
H
H
Xavier
T
T
Narayanan
P R
PR
D000135:Acid Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000097:blood*; D015802:HLA-DR2 Antigen / Q000235:genetics*; D006650:Histocompatibility Testing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009113:Muramidase / Q000097:blood*; D010641:Phenotype; D011379:Prognosis; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics
D015802:HLA-DR2 Antigen; D000135:Acid Phosphatase; D009113:Muramidase; D005966:Glucuronidase