Higher IL-6 Levels and Changes in TGF-β are Associated with Lung Impairment in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is associated with granuloma formation, necrosis and cavitation in lung tissue. Lung injury in PTB can persist despite microbiological cure and is associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) independent of smoking exposure [1]. Furthermore, pulmonary sequelae of PTB are an under-recognized cause of respiratory disability and excess mortality [2]. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the ERJ Open Research . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJOR online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. Gupte has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Selvaraju has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Gaikwad has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Mave has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Nathella has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Babu has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Andrade has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Checkley has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Bollinger reports grants from US National Institutes of Health, during the conduct of the study; non-financial support from Hologic Inc, non-financial support from MERCK & Company, non-financial support from Emocha Health, outside the submitted work;. Conflict of interest: Dr. Gupta reports grants from NIH, during the conduct of the study;.