Serum protein electrophoresis in tuberculosis.

Serial serum protein electrophoretic determinations at two-month intervals were carried out on 84 tuberculous patients undergoing treatment in a sanatorium. An attempt was made to correlate changes in the albumin/alpha-2 globulin ratios and gamma globulin levels with clinical and roentgenographic status. It was observed that before treatment of the tuberculous process the albumin/alpha-2 globulin ratios were low and the gamma globulin levels were increased. As improvement occurred, albumin/alpha-2 globulin ratios increased and gamma globulin values decreased. A poor prognosis was indicated by decreasing albumin/alpha-2 globulin ratios. Electrophoretograms are of particular value in assessing the effect of surgery, especially when roentgenographic studies are not informative. They are also a valuable guide in deciding upon the duration of therapy necessary for individual cases.