Detection of Serum IL-1β and IL-10 as Biomarkers for Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Resistance.

BACKGROUND

To investigate the levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2R, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, IFN-γ) in tuberculosis (TB) patients with different clinical characteristics (sputum smear status, cavity presence, lesion extent, Mycobacterium type, and drug resistance) and explore their clinical significance.

METHODS

A total of 258 active TB patients (divided into drug-resistant and non-drug-resistant groups) and 62 quiescent TB controls were enrolled. Serum cytokine levels were detected by ELISA.

RESULTS

Serum IL-1β, sIL-2R, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in active TB patients than in controls (all p < 0.01), while IL-8 showed no difference. IL-1β levels were notably higher in drug-resistant vs. non-drug-resistant patients (p < 0.01). In subgroups with positive sputum smear, extensive lesions, cavity formation, or bovine TB infection, IL-1β and IL-10 levels increased with disease severity. IL-1β was significantly elevated in streptomycin (SM)-resistant, rifampicin (RFP)-resistant, and related combined drug-resistant subgroups (p < 0.01/0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum IL-1β in combination with IL-10 may serve as a marker for evaluating TB activity, lesion progression, and bacillary type, while IL-1β alone could indicate partial drug resistance (e.g., to SM, RFP, and related combinations).