Evaluation of vitamin C and E levels in Nigerians with mycobacterium tuberclosis

Nnodim Johnkennedy¹*, Ihim Augustin² and Nwobodo Emmanuel Ikechukwu³

¹Department of medical laboratory science, faculty of health science, Imo State University owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

²Department of medical laboratory Science, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus, Anambra state, Nigeria.

³ThankGod medical laboratories Ihiala Anambra State.

*Corresponding author Email: johnkennedy23@yahoo.com

Accepted 30 May 2012

Abstract

The vitamin C and E levels in Mycobacterium tuberclosis patients attending General Hospital Owerri, Nigeria were evaluated.Seventy confirmed tuberclosis patients ages 20-50 years were selected. Seventy normal subjects ages 20-50 years free from tuberclosis were used as control. Patients with complications such as renal disease and HIV Positive were excluded. The levels of plasma Vitamin C and E in tuberclosis were significantly decreased (54.91± 7.31mmo/l and 9.14± 2.83mgldl respectively) when compared with the control (76.29± 9.10mmol/l and 12.13± 1.54mg/dl) (P< 0.05). The results obtained show that plasma vitamin C and E are depleted in Mycobacteria tuberclosis patients.Hence, there could be an immense benefit in eating fruits and vegetable rich in vitamin C and E.

Keywords: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Mycobacteria tuberclosis