The role of cachectin/TNF in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis

The presence of cachectin or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) associated with hyperlipidemia was demonstrated in the serum of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The hyperlipidemia that accompanies this infection may be mediated by the TNF inhibition of lipoprotein lipase activity. This sequence of events may be sufficient to explain, in part, the complex metabolic changes and emaciation observed in tuberculosis patients