<![CDATA[Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major health problem, particularly in Indonesia. Early diagnosis of drug-sensitive (DS-TB) and drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) remains challenging due to limited access to molecular diagnostics in peripheral healthcare settings and difficulties in sputum specimen collection. This study evaluated serum soluble CD163 (sCD163) and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR) for diagnostic utility. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 32 DS-TB patients, 30 DR-TB patients, and 26 healthy controls. Serum sCD163 was measured using ELISA, while MLR was calculated from complete blood counts. Statistical analyses included Kruskal–Wallis, Dunn's post hoc, Spearman correlation, and Cross Tabulation analysis for each comparisons. Results: Both DR-TB and DS-TB showed significantly higher sCD163 levels than controls (p=0.003), with no difference between TB groups (p=0.676). Similarly, MLR was higher in both TB groups than controls (p<0.001), without intergroup differences (p=0.217). Serum sCD163 positively correlated with MLR (r=0.319; p=0.003). Patients with sCD163 >85.97 ng/mL and MLR >0.59 had 1.01-fold and 1.29-fold higher odds of DR-TB, respectively, although these associations were not statistically significant. sCD163 in DR-TB showed slightly lower sCD163 and MLR than DS-TB. This may reflect a more preserved innate immune response with active monocyte–macrophage activation in DS-TB, whereas chronic antigen exposure in DR-TB may induce immune dysregulation and immune exhaustion, reducing monocyte activity and biomarker release. Conclusion: sCD163 and MLR may serve as supportive biomarkers for active TB diagnosis especially DR-TB, with MLR showing greater diagnostic value.]]>
Copyrights © 2026
