Value of Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio as a new biomarker in Tuberculosis inflammation

Neutrophil counts and, especially, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) seem to be a reliable biomarker to distinguish an active tuberculosis (TB) from a latent one or a pulmonary tuberculosis from a bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. In conditions of systemic inflammation, the rise in neutrophil count occurs due to reduced apoptosis of these cells. Consequently, the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio increases, which correlates with elevated mortality rates. We conducted a retrospective study and we included 105 patients with a diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis who have been continuously admitted to the Pneumology/TB Department. The NLR average value was 6,92 and we observed increased values in patients with cachexia as comorbidities associated. Smoking status was another item that elevated NLR levels. Ratio value at discharge was lower than the NLR value at admission. The age group over 65 had the highest values. NLR has proven to be a valuable prognostic tool, correlating independently with mortality in various diseases like tuberculosis, pneumonia, COVID-19, and cancer.