Plasma ferritin, C-reactive protein, and adenosine deaminase levels in tuberculous lymphadenitis and pleuritis and their role in monitoring treatment response

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess the plasma levels of ferritin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and adenosine deaminase (ADA) at baseline and their utility as biomarkers to monitor response to treatment in extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) patients.

METHODS: Prospective measurements of ferritin, CRP, and ADA were done in unstimulated plasma samples of 92 EPTB (49 TB lymphadenitis and 43 TB pleuritis) patients registered for anti-TB treatment. Blood samples were taken at the start, 2, and 6 months of treatment, plasma levels of ferritin and CRP were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and ADA levels by kinetic chemistry method at each time point. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Non-parametric tests were used for paired analysis and two groups' comparison. Spearman's rank test was used for correlation analysis. A Chi-square test was used for categorical variables. A p-value