Circulating TNF‐α, TGF‐β, and IL‐10 in Tuberculosis Patients and Healthy Contacts

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Abstract
Levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β, and interleukin (IL)‐10 in plasma of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients and healthy contacts and plasma and pleural fluid of patients with tuberculous pleuritis were examined by enzyme immunoassay. Plasma TNF‐α and IL‐10 were elevated to significant levels in healthy contacts. High levels of TGF‐β and IL‐10 were also detected in plasma from TB patients and healthy contacts. Pleural fluid contained all three cytokines with the level of IL‐10 being highest followed by TGF‐β and TNF‐α. Plasma of tuberculous pleuritis patients also had detectable levels of the three cytokines. Increased levels of TNF‐α in plasma of contacts and to some extent pleural fluid of pleuritis patients, is perhaps to limit the infection, while elevated IL‐10 in plasma of TB patients and contacts and pleural fluid would perhaps modulate excess proinflammation. Elevated TGF‐β in TB patients suggests its role in the immunopathogenesis.