In 48 hospitalized patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis, nutritional status on the basis of obesity-index, anthropometric mesurement and some biochemical & hematological indices (total protein, total choresterol, trigliceride, lipoprotein, HDL-choresterol, hemoglobin and lymphocyte count) were assessed in reference to immunological-skin test (DNCB skin reaction). Patients group had significantly reduced obesity-index together with anthropometric parameters such as TSF, AC, AMC and also in serum total-and HDL choresterol levels than normal controls.
A large number of patients (32/48) showed reduced DNCB skin reaction, whereas only a few normal subjects (3/50) had showed reduced reactivity.
Some of the anthropometric indices (TSF, AC, ) serum albumin, hemoglobin and peripheral lymphocyte count were significantly lower in patients with reduced DNCB reaction than in patients with normal reactivity and normal controls. The data suggested a relationship between poor nutritional status and depressed cellular immunity in tuberculosis patients.
