Monitoring of inflammatory blood biomarkers in foals with Rhodococcus Equi pneumonia during antimicrobial treatment.

Rhodococcus equi (R. equi), a gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen, is a common cause of pneumonia in foals and represents a major cause of disease and death. The aim of the present study was to investigate the time-depended changes in White Blood Cells (WBC), basophils (Baso), neutrophils (Neu), lymphocytes (Lymf), monocytes (Mon), eosinophils (Eos), platelet (PLT) counts, fibrinogen (Fbg) concentration, interferon (IFN-α, IFN-γ) and interleukins (IL-2 and IL-10) in foals with clinical R. equi pneumonia. The main treatment was with azithromycin-rifampicin for 14 days. Blood was sampled prior to, 7 and 14 days after starting therapy. Treatment was associated with significantly decreased counts of WBC, (25.6 ± 6.7 and 14.2 ± 2,7 × 103/ml), Neu (18.6 ±6.2 and 10.7 ± 3.1 × 103/ml), Mon (1.5 ± 0.5 and 0.9 ± 0.2 × 103/ml) and Fbg (539 ± 124 and 287 ± 26 g/dl) between day 0 and day 14. IL-2 and IL-10 concentrations were significantly increased (P = 0.028, P = 0.013, respectively) after treatment, whereas IFN-α and IFN-γ concentrations were not. The diagnostic potentials of INF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 per se seems not very high, however, the study suggests that the activity change of selected interleukins in the course of the disease may be associated with amelioration. We concluded that patterns of serum concentration changes of INF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-10 may help in the study of the innate immune response in foals during infection and treatment of R. equi pneumonia.

HRCT findings of pulmonary sarcoidosis; relation to pulmonary function tests.

BACKGROUND: Chest-X-ray has several limitations in detecting the extent of pulmonary disease in sarcoidosis. It might not reflect the degree of pulmonary involvement in patients with sarcoidosis when compared to computed tomography of the thorax. We aimed to investigate the HRCT findings of pulmonary sarcoidosis and to find out the existence of possible relations between HRCT findings and PFTs. In addition, we aimed to investigate the accordance between HRCT findings and conventional chest-X-ray staging of pulmonary sarcoidosis. METHOD: 45 patients with sarcoidosis with a mean age 29.7+/- 8.4 years were evaluated. Six of them were female and 39 were male. The type, distribution and extent of the parameters on HRCT/CTs were evaluated and scored. Chest-X-rays were evaluated for the stage of pulmonary sarcoidosis. Correlations were investigated between HRCT/CT parameter scores, Chest X-Ray stages and pulmonary function parameters. RESULTS: Nodule, micronodule, ground glass opacity and consolidation were the most common HRCT findings. There were significant correlations between pulmonary function parameters, HRCT pattern scores, and chest-X-ray stages. A significant correlation between chest-x-ray score and total HRCT score was found. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary sarcoidosis patients might have various pulmonary parenchymal changes on HRCT. Thorax HRCT was superior to chest-X-ray in detecting pulmonary parenchymal abnormalities. The degree of pulmonary involvement might be closely related to the loss of pulmonary function measured by PFTs. Chest-X-ray is considered to have a role in the evaluation of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

[A case of pulmonary sequestration presenting as solitary pulmonary nodule]. / Soliter pulmoner nodül olarak ortaya çikan bir pulmoner sekestrasyon olgusu.

Pulmonary sequestration is a rare, usually a cystic mass which is composed of nonfunctioning pulmonary tissue that does not communicate with the tracheobronchial tree. In computed tomography pulmonary sequestration is seen as usually a discrete mass lesion, with or without cystic changes, associated with local emphysematous areas located in lower lobes. We present a case of pulmonary sequestration located in apicoposterior segment of left upper lobe and presented as a solitary pulmonary nodule having smooth margins different from the classical radiological appearance of pulmonary sequestration.

Efficacy of serum chitotriosidase activity in early treatment of patients with active tuberculosis and a negative sputum smear.

BACKGROUND: The results of sputum culture for Mycobacterium tuberculosis must be awaited in most cases, which delays the start of treatment in patients with sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis. We investigated whether plasma chitotriosidase activity is a strong marker for early diagnosis of tuberculosis in patients for whom a bacillus smear is negative and tuberculosis culture is positive. METHODS: Clinical, radiological, and laboratory features were evaluated in 75 patients, 17 of whom were diagnosed as having active tuberculosis by negative acid-fast bacillus smear and positive culture, 38 as having sequel tuberculosis which was radiologically and microbiologically negative, and 20 who served as healthy controls. Serum chitotriosidase activity levels were measured in both cases and controls. RESULTS: The mean age of the cases with active pulmonary tuberculosis, cases with sequel lesions, and controls was 23 ± 2.4 years, 22 ± 1.7 years, and 24 ± 2.1 years, respectively. Serum chitotriosidase levels were 68.05 ± 72.61 nmol/hour/mL in smear-negative, culture-positive pulmonary tuberculosis cases (Group A) and 29.73 ± 20.55 nmol/hour/mL in smear-negative, culture-negative sequel pulmonary tuberculosis cases (Group B). Serum chitotriosidase levels from patients in Group A were significantly higher than in Group B and Group C. There was no statistically significant difference in serum chitotriosidase levels between cases with sequel pulmonary tuberculosis (Group B, smear-negative, culture-negative) and healthy controls (Group C). CONCLUSION: In patients with active tuberculosis and a negative sputum smear for acid-fast bacillus, plasma chitotriosidase activity seems to be a strong marker for diagnosis of active disease which can be used while awaiting culture results.

Serum chitotriosidase activity in pulmonary tuberculosis: response to treatment and correlations with clinical parameters.

BACKGROUND: Chitotriosidase is an accepted marker of macrophage activation. In this study, we investigated serum chitotriosidase levels in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). METHODS: Forth-two patients with PTB and 30 healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. The radiological extent of PTB, radiological sequela after treatment, and the degree of smear positivity were assessed. Chitotriosidase levels were measured by a fluorometric method. RESULTS: The serum chitotriosidase levels of the PTB patients were significantly higher than those of the control subjects (39.73±24.97 vs. 9.63±4.55 nmol/mL/h, P<0.001). After completion of the standard 6-month antituberculous treatment, chitotriosidase levels in PTB patients significantly decreased (10.47±4.54 nmol/mL/h, P<0.001). Chitotriosidase levels correlated significantly with the radiological extent of PTB, degree of smear positivity, and post-treatment radiological sequela score (r=0.439, r=0.449, and r=0.337, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that serum chitotriosidase levels increase in PTB; therefore, chitotriosidase can be used as a marker of disease activity, severity, and response to treatment.

Serum lactate dehydrogenase levels significantly correlate with radiological extent of disease and spirometric values in patients with silicosis due to denim sandblasting.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate serum lactate dehydrogenase (LD) levels in patients with silicosis due to denim sandblasting (SDDS) and also to investigate possible correlations between serum LD levels and the degree of radiological extent of disease (RED) and pulmonary function tests. METHODS: Forty-four males with SDDS and 32 healthy male subjects were included in the study. Patients and healthy controls were compared for serum LD levels. Correlations between serum LD levels, RED and spirometric values were investigated. RESULTS: Patients with SDDS had significantly higher serum LD levels than healthy controls. Patients with complicated SDDS had significantly higher serum LD levels than patients with simple SDDS. Significant correlations were found between serum LD levels and RED values. Significant correlations were found between serum LD levels and spirometric parameters. CONCLUSIONS: High serum LD levels might be considered as a marker of pulmonary parenchymal involvement in patients with SDDS. This study also suggests that the increase in serum LD levels might be closely related to the degree of pulmonary involvement in SDDS patients.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Using Modified Threshold Inspiratory Muscle Trainer (IMT) in Patients with Tetraplegia.

It is aimed to present the usefulness of inspiratory muscle trainer (IMT) in treatment of a 20-year-old male patient with diaphragmatic paralysis and tetraplegia due to spinal cord injury (SCI), and supporting effect of IMT in recovering from respiratory failure by rendering his diaphragm functions. The treatment was applied through the tracheostomy cannula by a modified IMT device. After applying IMT for three weeks, it was observed that the diaphragm recovered its functions in electromyography (EMG) test. As a result, in this study, we present a case where a patient could live without any respiratory device for the rest of his life with the help of modified IMT.

Plasma melatonin and urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the second most frequent cause of death in the world, after AIDS. Delay in diagnosing TB is an important worldwide problem. It seriously threatens public health. Cell-mediated immune responses play an important role in the pathogenesis of TB infection. The course of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb) infection is regulated by two distinct T cell cytokine patterns. Melatonin is a biomolecule (mainly secreted by the pineal gland) with free radical scavenging, antioxidant and immunoregulatory properties. Melatonin has both its direct and indirect immunomodulatory effects on the immune system. In this study, we measured plasma melatonin and urine 6-hydroxy melatonin sulphate (6-HMS) concentrations in patients with newly diagnosed TB for the purpose of investigating whether there was a relationship between their levels and MTb infection. Thirty-one newly diagnosed patients presenting with active TB and 31 healthy subjects as the control group were included in this study. Blood and 24-h urine samples were collected from all individuals. Plasma melatonin levels and urine 6-HMS were measured. Our results show that in patients with TB, mean melatonin and 6-HMS concentrations were significantly lower than in the control subjects (p = 0.037, p < 0.001, respectively). We believe that the treatment of TB patients with melatonin might result in a wide range of health benefits including improved quality of life and reduced severity of infection in these patients. Supplementation with melatonin may be considered as an adjunctive therapy to classic treatment of pulmonary TB, especially during the acute phase of infection.

Serum prolidase activity in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

AIM: To investigate serum prolidase activity (SPA) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-nine PTB patients and 32 controls were included in the study. PTB patients (cavitary and non-cavitary) and controls were compared in terms of mean SPA. Correlations were evaluated between SPA and acute phase reactants. RESULTS: Mean SPA was significantly higher in PTB patients than in the control group. Mean SPA was significantly higher in patients with cavitary TB than non-cavitary TB. Mean SPA in patients with mild PTB was lower than patients with moderate and severe disease. We found significant correlations between SPA and CRP, ESR, albumin, platelet counts, HDL-cholesterol and LDH activity. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that PTB patients have higher SPA than controls. The increase in SPA might be related to tissue destruction, increased immunoglobulin, complement levels and increased fibroblastic activity; all of which are involved in the natural history of PTB.

Pulmonary artery embolism due to a ruptured hepatic hydatid cyst: clinical and radiologic imaging findings.

Hydatid pulmonary embolism is an uncommon condition resulting from the rupture of a hydatid heart cyst or the opening of a visceral hydatid cyst into the venous circulation. We report a rare case with multiple intra-arterial pulmonary hydatid cyst emboli originating from a hepatic hydatid cyst ruptured into the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava. We present the ultrasonography findings of hepatic hydatid cyst and multidetector computed tomography pulmonary angiography images demonstrating both multiple hydatid cyst emboli and their hepatic origin.

Effect of nail polish and henna on oxygen saturation determined by pulse oximetry in healthy young adult females.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different colour nail polishes and henna on the measurement of oxygen saturation and the differences among the measurements of three pulse oximetry devices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 33 healthy females with a mean age of 19±1.0 years and no complaints or known disease were included into the study. All the participants applied henna to one of their fingers a day before the study. Just before the study, one finger was left empty as control and the other fingers were dyed using various colours of nail polish (red, blue, beige, purple, brown, white, pink, green, colourless polish, light blue, light green and yellow). There were more than eight colour nail polishes and some fingers were used for the other colours after being completely cleaned. The same brand nail polishes were used for the study. Oxygen saturation measurements were done using three different pulse oximetry devices (device I, II, III) from the control, different colour nail polished and henna applied fingers. The measurements of different devices, different colour nail polishes, henna and control were statistically compared. RESULTS: The mean saturations obtained from blue, beige, purple and white nail polished fingers were significantly lower than those of control and the other coloured fingers. In addition, the mean measurement of device II was significantly lower than those of other devices. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that blue, beige, purple and white nail polished fingers might cause pulse oximetry devices to make incorrect measurements.

The role of oxidative stress and effect of alpha-lipoic acid in reexpansion pulmonary edema - an experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE) and effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in the prevention of RPE. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 4 groups consisting of 10 rats in each group; control group (CG), α-lipoic acid group (ALAG), reexpansion pulmonary edema group (RPEG), reexpansion pulmonary edema plus α-lipoic acid group (RPE + ALAG). In all the groups, all rats were sacrificed 2 hours after the reexpansion of lungs. To indicate oxidative stress malondialdehyde (MDA), and to indicate antioxidant status superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxides (GPx) were measured in the lungs of rats. RESULTS: Mean MDA value was lower in CG (7.02 ±0.14) and in ALAG (6.95 ±0.11) than the other groups (p = 0.001). It was highest in RPEG (8.89 ±0.21) (p = 0.001). It was lower in RPE + ALA G (7.21 ±0.32) than RPEG (p = 0.001). Antioxidant levels: GPx (37.21 ±3.01), CAT (2.87 ±0.14) and SOD (100.12 ±12.39) were lowest in RPEG among all groups (p = 0.001). These values were GPx (45.21 ±3.54), CAT (3.24 ±0.21) and SOD (172.36 ±15.48) in RPE + ALA G and were greater than those of RPEG (p = 0.001). While normal pulmonary parenchyma was seen in 2 rats in RPE + ALAG, it was not seen in RPEG. Pulmonary edema was seen in 1 rat in RPE + ALAG; however, it was seen in 3 in RPEG. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress might have an important role in the pathogenesis of RPE. In addition, ALA treatment might contribute in preventing RPE.

Ghrelin, paraoxonase and arylesterase levels in depressive patients before and after citalopram treatment.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine alterations in lipid profiles and in the serum concentrations of acylated and desacylated ghrelin, paraoxonase and arylesterase in psychiatric patients before and after treatment with 40 mg citalopram daily for 3 months. DESIGN AND METHODS: Samples were collected from 22 healthy controls and 24 psychiatric patients before and after citalopram treatment. Blood levels of acylated and desacylated ghrelin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Lipid parameters were measured on the OLYMPUS-AU400. RESULTS: It was found that the levels of acylated, desacylated ghrelin, paraoxonase arylesterase, total cholesterol and triglyceride were lower in depressive patients before citalopram treatment than in the control group. Those parameters were not restored after citalopram treatment except for the arylesterase level. CONCLUSION: Decreased PON1 and ghrelin levels as well as fluctuations in lipid profiles may be involved in the etiology of depressive disorders.

Prolidase activity in serum and pleural fluids in patients with tuberculous pleural effusion [correction of effussion].

OBJECTIVES: Pleural tuberculosis, which is present in around 4% of all tuberculosis cases may resolve spontaneously or associated with progressive disease and a high recurrence rate. Recently upon exposed to cytokines and bacterial products, mesothelium has been shown to produce collagen that may be involved in pleural inflammatory responses. Prolidase is involved in the final stage of degradation in collagen catabolism. In this study we aimed to evaluate pleural fluid and serum prolidase activities in patients with tuberculous (TB) pleurisy and compared with those in non-tuberculous (non-TB) pleural effusions. DESIGN AND METHODS: 21 patients with tuberculous (TB) pleurisy (11 F/10 M), ages 35-52 (median 44) and 22 patients (10 F/12 M), ages 41-63 (median 52) with non-tuberculous pleurisy included as non-tuberculous (non-TB) pleurisy group consecutively referred to our pulmonary clinic for evaluation. Serum and pleural prolidase activities in 21 TB and 22 non-TB pleurisy patients were analyzed by photometric method. RESULTS: Prolidase enzyme activities in serum and pleural fluids of TB group (1072+/-171 and 1392+/-215 U/L, respectively) were significantly higher than those values in non-TB group (787+/-144 and 943+/-174 U/L, respectively). Prolidase activities in pleural fluid were significantly higher than those in serum in both groups. There was a significant positive correlation between pleural and serum prolidase activities in TB group (r=0.579 and p=0.006) and in non-TB group (r=0.858 and p<0.001). In Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis, sensitivity and specificity values were 86% and 82% for a cut-off value of 1130 U/L for pleural prolidase activity and were 81% and 82% for a cut-off value of 952 U/L for serum prolidase activity, respectively. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, there is an elevated pleural fluid and serum prolidase enzyme activity in patients with TB pleurisy compared with non-TB pleurisy group. The higher enzyme activities in TB group might reflect increased collagen turnover in those patients.

Changes in platelet count and indices in pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies show that platelets have important roles in the immune system. Little is known about the clinical significance of platelet indices. Changes in platelet indices, including platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV) and plateletcrit, in pulmonary tuberculosis were investigated. METHODS: Platelet indices were quantified in 82 patients with active tuberculosis and 87 patients with inactive or non-tuberculous disease (controls). Radiological extent of the disease was assessed. RESULTS: There were significantly higher PDW (40.9+/-23.5% vs. 27.0+/-14.5%), MPV (10.05+/-2.36 vs. 8.83+/-1.47 fL) and plateletcrit (0.330+/-0166% vs. 0.266+/-0.128%) values in the active tuberculosis group, which decreased significantly with anti-tuberculous therapy. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and plateletcrit showed significant correlation (r=0.54 and r=0.66) with radiological extent of tuberculosis, while PDW and MPV correlations with radiological extent of tuberculosis were also significant but weaker (r=0.31 and r=0.23). In a subpopulation of controls with pneumonia, which leads to acute phase reaction, PDW, MPV and plateletcrit values were significantly lower than in the tuberculosis group. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that PDW, MPV and plateletcrit change in tuberculosis and that these changes may not reflect only acute phase reaction and disease activity. The potential role of platelet indices in tuberculosis immunopathogenesis remains to be investigated.

Agenesis of the hepatic vena cava in a patient with scimitar syndrome.

With the use of sophisticated imaging modalities, congenital anomalies of the inferior vena cava and its tributaries, such as agenesis of the hepatic vena cava, are becoming more and more commonly encountered. Scimitar syndrome, also called venolobar syndrome and hypogenetic lung syndrome, is a rare pulmonary vascular anomaly of the right lung that can sometimes be associated with some cardiovascular anomalies. We present here a case with agenesis of the hepatic vena cava associated with scimitar syndrome.

High-resolution CT findings in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis: correlation with the degree of smear positivity.

BACKGROUND: There are data about the relationship between morphologic findings on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and the number of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) on sputum smears in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). It was also shown that existence of cavities and airspace consolidation might be related to smear positivity in PTB patients. However, there is no study suggesting a relationship between AFB on sputum smears and radiologic extent of disease based on HRCT findings. AIM: In this study, we investigated a relationship between the degree of smear positivity and radiologic extent of disease based on HRCT findings and, the degree of smear positivity and different pulmonary parenchymal changes on HRCTs of the PTB patients. METHODS: Sixty-one male patients with PTB (mean age: 22+/-3.2) were included into the study. HRCT images were assessed for patterns, distribution, and profusion of pulmonary abnormalities. Dividing the lungs into 3 zones, profusion of abnormalities was assessed. A profusion score was given. Patients were divided as smear positive and smear negative and compared for the scores of HRCT findings. Smear-positive patients were divided into 4 groups as per grading of the sputum AFB smear: group I (sputum 1+), group II (sputum 2+), group III (sputum 3+), and group IV (sputum 4+). Correlations were investigated between the degree of smear positivity and the scores of HRCT findings. RESULTS: A significant correlation between radiologic extent of the disease based on HRCT and the degree of smear positivity was found (r=0.63, P=0.0001). There were also significant correlations between the degree of smear positivity and the scores of different HRCT findings. Nodule, cavity, and bronchial lesions are the most important contributors of the predictive properties of the total score. There was significant differences for the scores of HRCT findings between smear-positive and smear-negative patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that radiologic extent of disease based on HRCT findings in patients with PTB correlated with the degree of smear positivity. Different HRCT findings such as nodule, cavitation, ground-glass opacity, consolidation, and bronchial lesion are significantly associated with smear-positive PTB. Particularly, nodules, cavities, and bronchial lesions might be predictors of smear positivity in patients with PTB. This study also suggests that the thickness of cavity wall and the distance of cavity from central airways might be related to the degree of smear positivity.

[Diagnosis of venous thromboembolism by single-detector row and multi-detector row CT angiography]. / Venöz tromboembolizm tanisinda tek detektör sirali ve çok detektör sirali BT anjiyografi.

Aim of this study is to determine the diagnostic value of pulmonary angiography performed by either single-detector row CT (SDCT) or multi-detector row CT (MDCT) in patients suspected of venous thromboembolism (VTE). SDCT was performed on 36 and MDCT on 18 of total of 54 patients on whom V/Q scintigraphy was obtained with a suspicion of VTE. Sixteen out of 54 cases got additional pulmonary DSA. Statistical analyses were based on final clinical diagnoses of the individual cases. Twenty-six out of 54 cases in the study got the final diagnoses of VTE and VTE was certainly excluded in the remaining 28. Sixteen out of true 26 VTE cases were in the SDCT group while the other 10 cases took place in the MDCT group, none of which was missed by either technique. There was one false positive result in the SDCT group and none in the MDCT group (96% and 100% specificity respectively, 100% sensitivity for both). Only 9% of all pulmonary emboli detected by SDCT assisted pulmonary angiography were located in subsegmental arterial branches, whereas 24% of emboli detected by MDCT angiography were subsegmental. Both SDCT and MDCT angiography are reliable tests in the detection of VTE. MDCT assisted pulmonary angiography is superior than SDCT assisted pulmonary angiography in subsegmental VTE detection.

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis in an adult patient responded well to corticosteroid therapy.

Idiopathic pulmonary hemosiderosis (IPH) is a very rare disorder of unknown etiology characterized by recurrent or chronic hemorrhage and accumulation of hemosiderin in the lung parenchyma. It is most common in children but can occur in adults. Clinical manifestations of the disease include iron deficiency anemia without any known cause, pulmonary symptoms such as hemoptysis, dyspnea and cough, and parenchymal lesions on chest X-ray. The clinical course of the disease may vary from patient to patient however, in general, the prognosis of the disease is worse. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Corticosteroids and other immune suppressive agents were used for the therapy of IPH. Since it is seen rarely in adults and the clinical course of the disease vary from patient to patient we presented an adult male patient with IPH responded well to steroid therapy clinically and radiologically.

Serum total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations significantly correlate with the radiological extent of disease and the degree of smear positivity in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Low serum total cholesterol (TC) concentrations in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) have been demonstrated. It was shown that a cholesterol-rich diet might accelerate the sterilization rate of sputum cultures in PTB patients. It is known that smear positivity might be related to the radiological extent of disease (RED) in PTB patients. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that there might be a relationship between initial serum TC concentrations; the degree of RED (DRED) and the degree of smear positivity (DSP) in PTB patients. METHOD: Eighty-three PTB patients and 39 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum TC, TG, HDL-C, VLDL-C and LDL-C concentrations were determined in all subjects. PTB patients were classified for their chest X-ray findings as minimal/mild, moderate and advanced. Correlations between serum lipid concentrations, DRED and DSP (0, 1+, 2+, 3+, 4+) were investigated. PTB patients and controls were also compared for serum lipid concentrations. RESULTS: Significant differences between PTB patients and controls were detected for serum TC, HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations. On stepwise logistic regression analysis, DRED was found as one of the significant independent predictors of serum TC levels. We also found significant correlations between DRED and serum HDL-C concentrations (r=-0.60, p=0.0001) and between DRED and serum LDL-C concentrations (r=-0.28, p=0.011). There were also significant correlations between DSP and serum lipid concentrations. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that serum TC, HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations are generally lower in patients with PTB than those in healthy controls. In addition, changes in these parameters might be related to DRED and DSP in PTB patients.