Nitrite Production by Lymphokine Activated Peripheral Blood Monocytes in Malnourished Patients with Tuberculosis

The activity of lymphokine and recombinant gamma interferon on activated peripheral blood monocytes to produce Nitrite (NO2 -) in patients suffering from tuberculosis was examined and the effect of nutritional status determined. Monocytes obtained from 43 children suffering from varying severities of tuberculosis were activated with crude lymphokine obtained from well-nourished or malnourished children. Nitrite production was stimulated (with either lymphokine) in well-nourished children with tuberculosis but was significantly lowered in the malnourished counterparts. Monocytes obtained from malnourished adult patients suffering from fibrocaceous tuberculosis showed inadequate stimulation even with recombinant gamma interferon. These results suggest macrophage dysfunction to produce NO2 - in malnourished patients suffering from tuberculosis.