Lower plasma levels of selenium and glutathione in smear-positive tuberculosis patients in Malawi

Abstract

Abstract Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate selenium and glutathione levels in pulmonary tuberculosis patients and controls in Malawi. Methods: The case-control study included 19 patients and 15 apparently healthy controls for whom, levels of selenium and glutathione were measured. Results: The plasma selenium levels were significantly lower in tuberculosis patients compared with the controls (p = 0.02). Conclusion: No significant differences were observed for the plasma glutathione levels (p = 0.39). [Ethiop. J. Health Dev. 2011;25;(3):230-232]