TITLE:
Discordantly Elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and Depressed C-Reactive Protein (CRP) Values in Early Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in Maiduguri, Nigeria
AUTHORS:
Zaccheaus Awortu Jeremiah, Iruoma Leonard, Anthony C. Ezinma
KEYWORDS:
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate; C-Reactive Protein; Pulmonary Tuberculosis
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Blood Diseases,
Vol.3 No.2,
June
25,
2013
ABSTRACT: Background: ESR
and CRP measurements reflect different aspects of systemic inflammation.
Generally, they are either
elevated or depressed at the same time. This study was aimed at evaluating the
clinical ability of these markers in the early diagnosis of pulmonary
tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 (male 39, female 21)
patients who tested positive to Acid Alcohol Fast Bacilli (AAFB) were studied.
ESR and CRP values were estimated using standard procedures. Results: The
mean ESR value among the AAFB positive patients was 53.16 ± 4.92 mm/hr while
the CRP value was 0.273 ± 0.035 mg/L. Gender and age were not found to have any
influence on the ESR and CRP values. No relationship was found to exist between
ESR and CRP (r = 0.17; p = 0.235) and age (r = 0.125; p = 0.388). Conclusion: A
moderately elevated ESR and low CRP values exist at the early diagnosis of
tuberculosis. There is no correlation between ESR and CRP at the onset of
tuberculosis; hence CRP cannot be used as a screening tool for early diagnosis
of tuberculosis.