METHODS
This study was performed regarding the recommendations put forward via the Declaration of Helsinki. The study protocol was approved by the Ethical Committee and each participant gave written, informed consent. 50 patients with active lung tuberculosis referred to the Sanliurfa Tuberculosis Dispensary (29 male, 21 female) and 48 healthy controls (28 male, 20 female) were included in the study. Most of our patients were young adults and had no additional diseases other than tuberculosis.
Venous blood samples from the patients, and healthy controls in the study were collected. Plasma blood samples were centrifuged at 1500 rpm for 10 min and serum was got. The separated serum was immediately placed in eppendorf tubes and these samples were stored at −80°C until used.
For measurement of serum IMA levels, the albumin cobalt binding test was used. This involved the addition of 50 mL 0.1% cobalt (II) chloride (CoClv, 6 H2O) to the patient serum. After mixing, followed by 10-min incubation for albumin cobalt binding, 50 mL 1.5 mg/mL dithiothreitol was added. After mixing followed by 2 min of incubation, 1.0 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution was added in order to reduce the binding capacity. The absorbance of samples was measured at 470 nm using a spectrophotometer. The results were expressed as absorbance units (ABSUs) [18].