Serum immunoglobulin classes, interferon gamma and oxidative stress status of Nigerian multidrug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis patients at Ibadan, Nigeria

Introduction: Emergence of multidrug resistant strains constitutes a serious threat to global tuberculosis control efforts, with evidence emerging about the possible contribution of humoral immunity and antioxidant status in the control of this disease. This study evaluated correlation of antioxidant status, interferon gamma and immunoglobulin in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Method: Twenty-three multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients, 28 drug-susceptible patients and 28 healthy participants were enrolled for study. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), interferon-gamma, and serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG) were analysed using standard methods. Descriptive statistics, Student t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation and chi-square tests carried out and significance set at p ˂ 0.05. Results: Tuberculosis occurred more in the young, with male preponderance. Between group correlations was significant for TAS and IgA, as well as IgA and MDA while, IgA was significant in male. Significant difference found in levels of IgA and MDA but not IFN-ϒ, IgG, IgM and TAS. Between group differences were significant between drug sensitive and control, MDR and control, MDR and drug sensitive. Conclusion: Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is associated with increased oxidative stress. A possible synergy also exists between acquired humoral immunity (IgA and IgG) and cellular immunity (IFN-ϒ) in tuberculosis control.