Serum copper and zinc levels in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis

Serum copper and zinc were estimated in 60 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 107 age matched healthy controls. Patients with other chronic infections and liver disorder were excluded. Serum copper and zinc in control group were 112.57 (± 30.55) and 110.98 (± 16.54) μg/dl, respectively. In patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, copper was elevated to 125.33 (± 35.78) μg/dl, which was significantly higher as compared to controls (p < 0.005). Zinc in pulmonary tuberculosis was 81.02 (± 27.39) μg/dl. It was significantly lower in pulmonary tuberculosis (p 0.001) than controls. However, in sputum positive and negative (30 each) no significant difference for serum copper and zinc could be detected in the two groups