Differences in TNF-α Levels in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Before and After One Month of Anti-Tuberculosis Drug Therapy

Pulmonary tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Patients diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis undergo Anti-Tuberculosis Drug (OAT) therapy for six months. In the first two months, known as the intensive phase, patients receive a combination of OATs such as isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide. TNF-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays a crucial role in granuloma formation to contain the spread of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study aims to determine the difference in TNF-α levels in pulmonary tuberculosis patients before and after one month of OAT therapy. The study used an observational analytic design with a prospective cohort approach without comparison. A total of 17 newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis patients at Bangetayu, Kedungmundu, and Tlogosari Wetan Health Centers, Semarang City, were included. TNF-α levels in serum samples were measured using the ELISA method. The mean TNF-α level before OAT therapy was 110.09±100,48 pg/mL, while after one month of therapy, it decreased to 90,05±60,12 pg/mL. These results indicate a significant reduction in TNF-α levels after one month of OAT therapy, suggesting an immune response to tuberculosis treatment. The data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test with the statistical test results obtaining a p-value of 0.228 ( 0.05), meaning there was no difference in TNF-α levels in each treatment group.