Serum Levels of Interleukin-12 and Interferon Gamma in Pediatric Tuberculosis: A Clinico-Microbiological Correlation

Objective: The interleukin-12/interferon-γ (IL-12/IFN-γ) pathway is the most validated cytokine regulating Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. role of IL-12/IFN-γ axis in protecting against (TB) exhibited people having mutations genes encoding these cytokines. We aimed to study serum levels IL-12 and IFN-γ pediatric their correlation with clinical microbiological features. Material Methods: A case-control was conducted on 60 microbiologically confirmed (smear and/or culture cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test) or clinically diagnosed (based features radiography contact history Mantoux test with/without confirmation) TB patients ≤12 years. Serum interleukin-12 interferon-gamma were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.Thirty age- sex-matched controls also included study. Results: median lower our (488.1 pg/ml) compared (784.8 pg/ml). However, IFN-γ/IL-12 ratios significantly higher among as controls. Moreover, interferon gamma cases no evidence chest radiography. hydrocephalus enlarged ventricles. Higher associated positive results by conventional techniques. Conclusion: level ratio children this well Further studies larger sample sizes could help evaluate usefulness interferon-γ potential markers severity prognosis TB.