Neutrophils and lymphocytes in relation to MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels in pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV co-infection.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity has an important role in lung cavitary formation occurred in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Low number and viability of CD4 + T-lymphocytes in patients with TB/HIV co-infection leads to impaired neutrophils production, causing further impaired MMPs production. Objective: To explore association of neutrophils and lymphocytes count to MMP-8 and MMP-9 among pulmonary TB patients with cavitary lesion and HIV co-infection. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a purposive sampling technique among patients with non-cavitary TB (n = 50), cavitary TB (n = 50) and TB/HIV (n = 27). Complete blood count was examined, including neutrophils and lymphocytes count. MMP-8 and MMP-9 were measured from plasma samples using ELISA method. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the relation between neutrophils, lymphocytes and MMPs. Result: MMP-8 and MMP-9 were positively correlated with neutrophils, but not to lymphocytes in all groups. Neutrophils, lymphocytes, and MMP-9 were significantly lower in TB/HIV co-infection, whereas MMP-8 was higher compared to new pulmonary TB. Interestingly, in cavitary TB, low lymphocytes were significantly correlated with higher level of MMP-8 and larger extent of lung affected. Conclusion: MMP-8 and MMP-9 are associated with neutrophil count, suggesting that neutrophils contribute significantly to their secretion. MMP-8 is significantly higher in TB/HIV co-infection and extent of lung damage in cavitary TB with lower lymphocyte count. This study suggests that lower lymphocyte level is related to higher neutrophil orchestrated inflammation, leading to tissue destruction.