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BackgroundThe monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio has been advocated as a biomarker in tuberculosis. Our objective was to evaluate its clinical role in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment outcome.MethodsComplete blood counts from an unselected population aged 16 to 65 years defined normal values of the ratio and associations with other indices. Blood counts, inflammatory markers and clinical parameters were measured in patients with and those screened for tuberculosis. We examined the ratio for its associations with these variables and for diagnosis, screening, prediction of poor prognosis and response to treatment. Results. In the unselected population, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratios were higher in males than females and correlated with neutrophil counts (Spearman’s rho=0.48, PConclusionsSevere tuberculosis and male sex associated with high monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratios. The ratio performed poorly as a clinical aid. (269 words) |
