Folate status in tuberculosis: a study in the Guinea Savanna of Nigeria
Knox-Macaulay, H.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 43(6): 411-420
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-3007 PMID: 2743964 Document Number: 329501
Information about folate status in tuberculosis in developing countries is scanty. It was therefore decided to study serum and red cell folate (SF and RCF) values in this infection. SF and RCF measurements were made by a microbiological (Lactobacillus casei) method on 152 patients before treatment and on 94 patients (58 defaulted) at varying intervals during treatment. Mean SF (3.9 micro g/litre) of tuberculous subjects was significantly lower than that of the normal mean (6.8 micro g/litre) but their mean RCF (212.9 micro g/litre) was not significantly different from the normal mean RCF (220 micro g/litre). These findings indicate at least a state of incipient folate depletion. Though the mean RCF was normal, 32 patients had low RCF values of below 120 micro g/litre while in 16 patients RCF was below 100 micro g/litre. Only 10 ill subjects, all with disseminated disease, showed very low SF (below 2.0 micro g/litre) and low RCF (below 120 micro g/litre). Thus, established folate deficieny was also clearly shown in a proportion of the affected persons. In the patient population as a whole, however, no relation was detected between folate values (SF, RCF) and extent of disease, haemoglobin or haematocrit. Antituberculous treatment was accompained by a rise in mean SF and RCF which, however, were still less than the normal mean values.