Iron-containing proteins lactoferrin and ferritin in biological media of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Salivary and serum levels of lactoferrin and ferritin were measured in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and patients with other nonspecific respiratory diseases. Measurements of lactoferrin in biological media and particularly in the serum of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis proved to be a highly informative test for monitoring the disease course, i.e. for evaluation of inflammatory process activity. Ferritin level can serve as an indicator of tissue destruction during inflammation and of the course of rehabilitation processes.