DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i03.079

Pages: 1131-1136

The progress of an infectious condition is partly affected by the overall nutrition of the host. Many of the essential trace elements like copper, zinc, magnesium influence the function of the immune system. Tuberculosis and malnutrition is well recognized to go hand in hand as one can lead to the other. The present study included 50 newly detected adults who were both sputum positive and chest radiograph positive for pulmonary tuberculosis were included in the study. 20 healthy controls were taken from the hospital employees. Serum magnesium levels in control group range from 1.85-2.12 mg/dL and that of the study group range from 1.45-1.73 mg/dL. The study showed with increasing duration of the illness serum magnesium levels progressively decreased. It was observed that in far advanced disease (1.537±0.054) the serum magnesium levels were lower than in moderately advanced (1.606±0.023) and minimal disease (1.675±0.026). Serum magnesium level was significantly lower in cavitary type (1.571±0.052 mg/dL) than the noncavitary type (1.675±0.026 mg/dL). Serum magnesium levels were lower in patients with hemoptysis (1.59±0.057 mg/dL) and loss of weight (1.59±0.059 mg/dL). Conclusion: The study observed that a significant inverse relationship existed between the level of serum magnesium with the duration of illness, extent of the disease and symptoms like hemoptysis and weight loss.