Effect of linezolid on serum PCT, ESR, and CRP in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia

BACKGROUND: The continuous development of drug-resistant tuberculosis in recent years has brought new attention to tuberculosis. linezolid is usually used to treat infection in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia, for it has good effects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and has strong antibacterial activity on the drug-resistant strain. This study aims to investigate the effects of linezolid on serum procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia. METHODS: Forty patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia were divided into 2 groups: observation group (n = 20), patients treated with linezolid; control group (n = 20), patients treated with moxifloxacin. At 14 days, one month and 3 months of treatment, changes in serum PCT, ESR, CRP, and bacterial eradication rate (negative conversion rate) were compared between the 2 groups, and the incidence of adverse reactions was compared. RESULTS: Serum PCT, ESR, and CRP in the 2 groups were significantly lower after 14 days of treatment than before treatment (P < .05), the decrease was more significant in the observation group, and the differences in ESR and CRP were statistically significant (t = 2.199, 2.494, P < .05). Furthermore, the negative conversion rate was higher in the observation group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). At one month of treatment, serum PCT, ESR, and CRP were lower in the observation group, and the difference in CRP was statistically significant (t = 3.274, P < .05). Furthermore, the negative conversion rate was slightly higher in the observation group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). At 3 months of treatment, differences in PCT, ESR, and CRP were not statistically significant, and the negative conversion rate was the same between the 2 groups. Furthermore, the incidence of adverse reactions was higher in the observation group, but all were mild, and the differences between these 2 groups were not statistically significant (P > .05). CONCLUSION: In the treatment of tuberculosis and pneumonia, linezolid can improve serum PCT, ESR, and CRP levels, and eradicate bacteria. However, adverse reactions should be strictly monitored to ensure its safety.