Serum Trace Element Levels in Tuberculous Pleurisy

In this study, copper, zinc, magnesium, manganese, selenium, and iron were measured by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry in patients with tuberculous (TB) pleurisy (n = 24) and in the control group (n = 20). Selenium, magnesium, and zinc were found to be significantly lower in TB pleurisy cases than those in the control group (p 0.05). Copper levels were significantly increased in the serum of the patients (p < 0.0001). These results may provide an additional disease correlate for assessing TB pleurisy risk.