Neutrophils as a cellular marker of inflammation among adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Complications of the disease is associated with the host’s inflammatory response. The study aimed to determine percentage neutrophil as a cellular biomarker of inflammation among adult patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in Zaria. Methods: This was a cross sectional study. Blood samples were taken from 30 treatment-naïve (TN), 30 treatment-experienced (TE) and 30 healthy controls (HC) for percentage neutrophils count. Results: The mean values of percentage neutrophils count for TN, TE and HC were 65.8 ± 7.3, 46.0 ± 11.8 and 55.8 ± 8.3, respectively. There was a decrease in neutrophils counts of TE patients compared with HC, an increased in neutrophils counts of TN compared with HC and a significant difference between TE and TN (P<0.0001).Conclusion Percentage Neutrophils should be use as a cellular biomarker for the monitoring of treatment response among adult patients with pulmonary Tuberculosis.