Assessment of soluble interleukin-2 receptor serum levels versus sputum smears in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Soluble serum interleukin - 2 receptor alpha (sIL - 28 - alpha) levels were measured twice, with a commercial assay, in 15 - otherwise healthy - patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and initially positive sputum smears for acid - fast bacilli. The first sample was taken upon commencement of treatment with isoniazid. rifampicin and ethambutol and the second sample after 20 days of therapy and / or sputum smears negativity. In a single patient initially sit - 2R - alpha was elevated but normalized after therapy. Mean levels of sIL - 2R - alpha did not differ up to statistical significance and when categorized as high or normal were not concordant with sputum smears results, it is concluded that sIL - 2R - alpha measurement should only be implemented in immunocompromised individuals and/or cases of initially sputum smear negative pulmonary tuberculosis.