Evaluation of Inflammatory Cytokines and Vitamin D3 Serum Levels in Patients with Tuberculosis in Baghdad, Iraq

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq

10.30476/ijns.2026.107042.1475

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection is a public health issue frequently connected with cytokine storm. Vitamin D3 deficiency was shown to increase the susceptibility to TB. This study assessed the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines and vitamin D3 in Iraqi patients infected to TB.
Methods: A total of 3 mL of blood was collected from 72 TB patients and 72 healthy controls to evaluate the interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-10, and IL-17 levels by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), and the vitamin D3 level using auto-analyzer.
Results: A significant increase in IL-2 (p<0.0001), IL-10 (p<0.0001), and IL-17 (p<0.05) in TB patients was noticed compared to control group. A significant decrease in vitamin D3 was observed in TB patients compared to control group (p<0.02). Among TB patients a significant increase was seen in IL-2 (p<0.002), IL-10 (p<0.05), and non-significant increase in IL-17 (p<0.13). A significant decrease in vitamin D3 (p<0.05) was demonstrated among drug resist patients compared to drug sensitive patients within TB group.
Conclusion: IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17 serum levels were illustrated to be useful immunodiagnostic markers between TB-infected patients and TB-uninfected individuals. Vitamin D3 was demonstrated to have supportive role in TB patients.

Keywords

References

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International Journal of Nutrition Sciences

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 18 August 2026

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