Increasing of IL-17 and IL-23 levels in Acid-Fast Bacilli Conversion of Drug Resistant Tuberculosis Patients after One Month Treatment

Background: In Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (DR-TB), high IL17 level was corelated with severe tissue damage while low level was associated with mortality. High levels of IL-17 and IL - 23 were found in patients with a high bacterial load. TB treatment is carried out by combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs for a period of 9 to 24 months. This study aimed to analyze the differences in IL-17 and IL-23 levels before and after treatment compared to healthy controls, and their relationship with conversion AFB smear. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted with total 38 subjects diagnosed as DR-TB using a molecular rapid test and 34 normal subjects as case and control groups. Examination of sputum AFB, IL-17 and IL-23 levels were carried out at the start of treatment and 30 days after treatment. Treatment was given in short term and individul drugs resistant regiments. Results: The average levels of IL-17 and IL 23 before treatment compared to those after treatment showed no significant difference (p=0.153; p= 0.328). When compare to healthy controls group, the mean levels of IL-17 and IL 23 before treatment was not significantly different (p= 0.883; p= 0.928), whereas after 1 month treatment were significantly different (p= 0.047; p=0.042). An increase of IL-17 levels followed by an increase in IL-23 levels (p=0,000 r=.0.872). TB treatment affected the conversion rate of 97.4% with linear association. Conclusion: The levels of IL-17 and IL-23 after treatment were increasing and significantly different with healthy group. These related with the high AFB conversion rate.