Role of Cytokines and Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Immunological Insights: The Role of Cytokines and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Authors

  • Sahar Manfi Ahmed Department of Microbiology, College of Dentistry, Al-Rafidain University College, Baghdad, Iraq.
  • Entisar Manfi Ahmed Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.
  • Zahraa Ali H. Al-Tameemi Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Collage of Medicine, Al-Iraqia University, Baghdad, Iraq.
  • Osama Mohsein Al Habbobi Teaching Hospital, Thi-Qar Health Directorate, Thi-Qar, Iraq.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v11i5.1929

Keywords:

Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Inflammatory Cytokines, Oxidative Stress, Cellular Damage, Blood Profile, Lipid Metabolism

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the study was to define the interplay between cytokines, inflammatory biomarkers, and metabolic changes in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), and to identify future diagnostic predictors and improve our understanding of changes in disease-associated immune responses.

Methods: The study was a case-control study that occurred between October 1, 2024 and March 1, 2025 in Al-Nasiriya and Al-Habboubi Teaching Hospitals, involving 150 individuals with PTB and 50 healthy persons of the same age and gender (35 years old to 45 years old).   Using a Sysmex CBC scanner, the count of blood cells (WBC, Hb, platelets) was determined. ELISA was used to measure cytokines (IL-6, TNF-a, IFN- a, IL-10), acute-phase proteins (CRP, SAA) and oxidative stress markers (MDA, TAC). Informed consent and ethical approval were received.

Results: The PTB patients had high levels of inflammatory cytokines, acute-phase proteins, and oxidative stress molecules with low levels of antioxidant capacity. Changes in the hematology were elevated WBC and platelet with low hemoglobin. The lipid profiles were characterized by lower HDL-C levels, elevated triglycerides levels and slightly deficient total cholesterol. Close relationships between inflammatory, oxidative and hematological biomarkers imply combined immune and metabolic impairments in PTB.

Conclusions: This research highlights new findings on the immunological, oxidative homeostasis, and metabolic perturbations of preterm birth and the potential future application of combinatoric biomarkers to enhance the diagnostic domain and clarify the pathophysiological mechanisms.

References

Ashenafi S, Brighenti S. Reinventing the human tuberculosis (TB) granuloma: Learning from the cancer field. Frontiers in Immunology. 2022;13:1059725.

Chandra P, Grigsby SJ, Philips JA. Immune evasion and provocation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Nature Reviews Microbiology. 2022;20(12):750–766.

Cohen SB, Gern BH, Urdahl KB. The tuberculous granuloma and preexisting immunity. Annual Review of Immunology. 2022;40(1):589–614.

Daher W, Pichler V, Karam J, et al. The molecular basis and downstream immune consequences of mycobacteria–host cell interactions. FEMS Microbiology Reviews. 2023;47(2):fuad009.

Ghanavi J, Farnia P, Velayati A, et al. The role of interferon-gamma and interferon-gamma receptor in tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterial infections. International Journal of Mycobacteriology. 2021;10(4):349–357.

Gunasekaran H, Ranganathan UD, Bethunaickan R. The importance of inflammatory biomarkers in detecting and managing latent tuberculosis infection. Frontiers in Immunology. 2025;16:1538127.

Kanabalan RD, Lee LJ, Lee L, et al. Human tuberculosis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex: A review on genetic diversity, pathogenesis and omics approaches in host biomarkers discovery. Microbiological Research. 2021;246:126674.

Nosik M, Ryzhov K, Rymanova I, et al. Dynamics of plasmatic levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in HIV-infected individuals with M. tuberculosis co-infection. Microorganisms. 2021;9(11):2291.

Ponnusamy N, Arumugam M. Interaction of host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and ayurvedic management of tuberculosis: A systemic approach. Infectious Disorders Drug Targets. 2022;22(2):28–40.

Ravesloot-Chávez MM, Van Dis E, Stanley SA. The innate immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Annual Review of Immunology. 2021;39(1):611–637.

Eribo OA, du Plessis N, Chegou NN. The intestinal commensal Bacteroides fragilis modulates host responses to viral infection and therapy: Lessons for exploration during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Infection and Immunity. 2022;90(1):e00321-21.

Meca AD, Turcu-Stiolica A, Bogdan A, et al. Screening performance of C-reactive protein for active pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients: A systematic review with a meta-analysis. Frontiers in Immunology. 2022;13:891201.

Azam K, Khosa C, Viegas S, et al. Reduction of blood C-reactive protein concentration complements the resolution of sputum bacillary load in patients on anti-tuberculosis therapy. Frontiers in Immunology. 2022;13:1005692.

Malik, A. W., et al. "Bacterial strains isolated from sinusitis infections and their drug resistance profiles in Nasiriyah (Iraq)." Regulatory Mechanisms in Biosystems 16.2 (2025): e25049-e25049.‏

Monday MH, Madu OJ, et al. Evaluation of some antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity and CD4+ count in HIV with TB co-infection in NAUTH. Evaluation. 2022;10(9).

Feldman C, Theron AJ, Cholo A, et al. Cigarette smoking as a risk factor for tuberculosis in adults: Epidemiology and aspects of disease pathogenesis. Pathogens. 2024;13(2):151.

Quan DH, Kwong AJ, et al. No smoke without fire: The impact of cigarette smoking on the immune control of tuberculosis. European Respiratory Review. 2022;31(164).

Lu P, Zhang Y, Liu Q, et al. Association of BMI, diabetes, and risk of tuberculosis: A population-based prospective cohort. International Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2021;109:168–173.

Razbek J, Daken M, Chen Y, et al. Association studies of serum levels of TNF-α, IL-10, IFN-γ and CXCL5 with latent tuberculosis infection in close contacts. Infection and Drug Resistance. 2024;899–910.

Al-Zubaidi MI, Lafi SA, Abdulateef YM. Cytokine dysregulation in pulmonary tuberculosis: The role of TNF-α/IL-10 and TNF-α/TGF-β ratios as severity indicators. Human Immunology. 2025;86(2):111256.

Ferreira CM, Barbosa AM, et al. Early IL-10 promotes vasculature-associated CD4+ T cells unable to control *Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. JCI Insight. 2021;6(21):e150060.

Karataş Ö, Akçakavak GÖ. Evaluation of local expressions of acute phase proteins in white muscle disease in lambs by the immunohistochemical method. Revista Científica-Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. 2024;34(1).

Mu L, Jiang L, Chen J, et al. Serum inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factors are associated with increased risk of frailty and cognitive frailty in patients with cerebral small vessel disease. Frontiers in Neurology. 2022;12:786277.

Qi C, Wang H, Liu Z, et al. Oxidative stress and trace elements in pulmonary tuberculosis patients during 6 months anti-tuberculosis treatment. Biological Trace Element Research. 2021;199:1259–1267.

Sharma A, Sagar K, Chauhan N, et al. HigB1 toxin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is upregulated during stress and required to establish infection in guinea pigs. Frontiers in Microbiology. 2021;12:748890.

Naif, Nabaa Hassan, et al. "The Impact of Inflammatory and Adipokine Biomarkers on Breast Cancer Progression and Patient Outcomes." Bulletin of Pharmaceutical Sciences Assiut University 48.1 (2025): 511-522.‏

Díaz Martínez AE, Alcaide Martín MJ, González-Gross M. Basal values of biochemical and hematological parameters in elite athletes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(5):3059.

Gelaw Y, Getaneh Z, Melku M. Anemia as a risk factor for tuberculosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine. 2021;26:1–15.

Gebreweld A, Fiseha T, Kebede E, et al. Immuno-hematological and biochemical changes in patients with tuberculosis in Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia. Journal of Blood Medicine. 2024;147–155.

Farhadian M, Veisi S, Farhadian N, et al. Hematological parameters in newly diagnosed TB patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Tuberculosis. 2024;144:102430.

Quinonez CG, Lee JJ, et al. Fatty acid metabolism of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A double-edged sword. Microb Cell. 2022;9:123–125.

Oswal N, Lizardo K, Dhanyalayam D, et al. Host metabolic changes during Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection cause insulin resistance in adult mice. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;11(6):1646.

Ferdosnejad K, Zamani MS, et al. The role of fatty acid metabolism in drug tolerance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. mBio. 2022;13(1):e03559-21.

Kotlyarov S, Kotlyarova A. Molecular mechanisms of lipid metabolism disorders in infectious exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(14):7634.

Plumlee CR, Duffy FJ, et al. Ultra-low dose aerosol infection of mice with Mycobacterium tuberculosis more closely models human tuberculosis. Cell Host & Microbe. 2021;29(1):68–82.

Jiang F, Han Y, Liu Y, et al. A comprehensive approach to developing a multi-epitope vaccine against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: From in silico design to in vitro immunization evaluation. Frontiers in Immunology. 2023;14:1280299.

Kock R, Holtgrewe LML, Zumla A, et al. Zoonotic tuberculosis–the changing landscape. Int J Infect Dis. 2021;113:S68-S72.

Holtgrewe LML, Mnyani C, Mlambo CK, et al. Burden of tuberculosis in underserved populations in South Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024;4(10):e0003753.

Downloads

Published

2025-10-26

How to Cite

Manfi Ahmed , S., Manfi Ahmed , E., Al-Tameemi, Z. A. H., & Mohsein, O. (2025). Role of Cytokines and Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis: Immunological Insights: The Role of Cytokines and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Pulmonary Tuberculosis. Journal of Contemporary Medical Sciences, 11(5), 372–379. https://doi.org/10.22317/jcms.v11i5.1929