Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis.[1] C-reactive protein is acute phase reactants that increase during inflammatory process occurs in the body. Mycobacterium tuberculosis enters body, causes inflammation and releases various pro-inflammatory cytokines, mainly interleukin 8 and interleukin 6.[2] Increased plasma concentration of interleukin 6 stimulates increased C-reactive protein synthesis by hepatocyte cells in the liver.[4] Objective: Determined the correlation between C-reactive protein levels with Acid-Fast Bacilli smear positivity and extent of chest X-ray lesions in new Pulmonary Tuberculosis patients with positive Acid-Fast Bacilli smear. Methods: The study design was an analytical study with an observational prospective cohort. The subjects of the study were 50 subjects with new case pulmonary tuberculosis positive smear who were examined for AFB smear, chest X-ray, C-reactive protein levels before and after intensive phase treatment. Results: C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher (p

Key words: Pulmonary tuberculosis, Acid-Fast Bacilli smear, C-reactive Protein