The Hemostatic Changes in Active Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Severe pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is sometimes complicated with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). We have examined the role of possible hemostat›c disturbance, which are predisposing factors for venous thrombosis in patients with PTB. Coagulation and platelet function tests have been studied in 40 patients with severe PTB and 40 healthy control volunteers before therapy and they were compared with 30th day results and controls. Analysis in patients with active PTB showed anemia, leucocytosis, thrombocytosis, elevation in plasma fibrinogen, factor VIII, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) with depressed antithrombin III (ATIII) and protein C (PC) levels. On the 30th day of treatment, anemia, leucocytosis and thrombocytsis were improved. Fibrinogen and factor VIII levels decreased to normal levels, PC and AT III levels increased to normal levels whereas there was no difference in PAI-1 levels. Platelet aggregation studies demonstrated increased platelet activation. Activated protein C resistance was not determined. DVT was not detected in patients during the follow up period. Decreased AT III, PC and elevated plasma fibrinogen levels and increased platelet aggregation appear to induce hypercoagilable state seen in PTB and improves with tretament.