Changes in nitric oxide synthase and nitrite and nitrate serum levels in patients with or without MDR-TB undergoing the intensive phase of anti-tuberculosis therapy.

Background: There is a paucity of published data on the effect of TB chemotherapy on nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and metabolism in newly diagnosed and relapsed patients with or without multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB).

Methods: The pattern of NO response in 140 patients with pulmonary TB, including 74 with MDR-TB and 66 without MDR-TB has been studied and compared to the NO status of 30 healthy donors. Patients comprised those with newly diagnosed TB and recurrent or relapsed TB.