Comparing the Serum Level of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Patients with Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis and the Control Group: A Case Control Study

Angiogenesis is seen in active pulmonary tuberculosis. One of the factors involved in angiogenesis is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Therefore, the aim of this case-control study is to investigate and compare the level of VEGF as a possible factor involved in angiogenesis in active pulmonary tuberculosis

The present case-control study enrolled 90 patients hospitalized in Boo-ali Hospital in Zahedan (45 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and 45 non-tuberculosis patients). In this study, census sampling method was used and VEGF level was measured by ELISA method. Data was analyzed in SPSS22 at a significance level of 0.05.

The mean age was 43.29±18.6 years in the case group and 37.93±16.2 years in the control group, and the majority of patients in both groups were women. The serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor was increased in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (334.36±90.6) compared to the control group (192.96±48.8). There was a significant difference in the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis compared to the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant relationship between smoking or gender and VEGF serum level.

Considering that the serum level of vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis increased significantly compared to the control group, this increase can indicate active pulmonary tuberculosis.