ESTIMATION OF SERUM COPPER , ZINC AND COPPER ZINC RATIO IN UNTREATED PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS IN COMPARISION TO HEALTHY SUBJECTS

Background: Several independent studies have shown the role of micronutrients like copper and zinc in controlling the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis.Tuberculosis is an important global health problem which is declared as global emergency by WorldHealth Organization (WHO) in 1993. The basic problem is in early diagnosis of the disease and neglecting the role of essential micro nutritrient like copper, Zinc. Aim: Aim of the present study was to Estimation and correlate fasting serum Zinc,Copper, total protein and albumin in newly detected untreated pulmonary tuberculosis patients of age group from 11 years to 45 years of either sex. To compare the serum copper, zinc level, cu/Zn ratio, total protein and albumin in newly detected untreated pulmonary tuberculosis patients with healthy volunters. Materials and method: The study included 50 newly detected sputum smear positive, untreated pulmonary tuberculosis patients and 50 healthy controls. Serum Copper, Zinc, Total Protein and Albumin were estimated in these subject.Present study was conducted in JLN medical college department of Biochemistry. Results and conclusion: The copper level and Cu/Zn ratio was significantly increased in untreated pulmonary tuberculosis patients with p value of <0.0001. The zinc levels decreased with decrease in total protein and albumin levels when compared to normal healthy group with a significant p value of <0.001. Hence the early and effective diagnosis of tuberculosis in the study group was influenced by factors such as increase copper, decrease zinc levels and increased copper zinc ratio.