Background The cases of Rifampicin-Resistant Tuberculosis (RR-TB) in our country have increased every year and RR-TB deaths are thought to be caused by prolongation of the QTc interval due to side effects of anti-tuberculosis drugs. Thus, cytokines are needed to be used as early markers of prolongation of the QTc interval in RR-TB patients. Objective This study aims to analyze the correlation of inflammatory cytokines on QTc interval in RR-TB patients who received shorter regimens. Methods This study uses a case-control study with a time series conducted in the period September 2019 to February 2020 in one of the referral hospitals for Tuberculosis in Indonesia. Cytokines levels from blood samples were measured using the ELISA method, while QTc intervals were automatically recorded using an electrocardiography machine. The statistical analysis used was the Chi-square test, Man Whitney test, Independence t -test, and Spearman-rank test with p < 0.05. Results There was no significant correlation between inflammatory cytokines and QTc prolongation in intensive phase which TNF-α value (6.8 pg/ml; r = 0.207; p = 0.281), IL-1β (20.13 pg/ml; r = 0.128; p = 0.509), and IL-6 (43.17 pg/ml; r = −0.028; p = 0.886). Meanwhile, in the continuation phase, the values for TNF-α (4.79 pg/ml; r = 0.046; p = 0.865), IL-1β (7.42 pg/ml; r = −0.223; p = 0.406), and IL- 6 (40.61 pg/ml; r = −0.147; p = 0.586). Conclusion inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) cannot be used to identify QTc interval prolongation in RR-TB patients who received shorter regimens.

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Background long-term use of anti-tuberculosis drugs (ATD) increases the risk of QTc prolongation, while C-reactive protein (CRP) can be used as an inflammatory marker of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Objective: correlation of CRP on the QTc interval in Rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) patients with the short regimen. Methods An observational study was conducted in Rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) patients from 2 groups, patients on intensive phase and patients on continuation phase. CRP levels were measured from blood samples and measured automatically using the immunoturbidimetric assay. QTc interval was calculated using electrocardiography. Levels of CRP levels and QTc interval between the 2 groups were analyzed. The statistical analysis used includes the independent t -test, Mann Whitney test, and Rank Spearman test with p = 0.05. Results Forty-five eligible RR-TB patients were included in this study. CRP levels and QTc intervals between 2 groups (intensive and continuation phase) showed significant difference with p < 0.001 but found no significant correlation of CRP levels and QTc interval in both intensive and continuation phase with p = 0.226 and 0.805, respectively. A higher level of CRP strongly indicated the inflammation caused by RR-TB infection at the early phase of the disease, but not correlated with QTc interval in RR-TB patients. Conclusion Levels of CRP and QTc interval do not correlate in RR-TB patients and can not be used to be the marker of QTc prolongation in RR-TB Patients.

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Ultrasound is useful in the diagnosis of cases in the field of lung disease, such as pleural effusion, pneumothorax, consolidation, atelectasis, pulmonary edema, and others. The advantages of thoracic ultrasound is a low cost, radiation is small, easy to carry, short examination time and has a dynamic aspect that can be seen at the time of examination. Thoracic ultrasound is an inexpensive tool and can be used to assist in intervention, especially in cases of peripheral lung, pleura and chest wall diseases, such as thoracocentesis, chest tube installation and aspiration lung abscess. Ultrasound can also replace aspiration and biopsy with CT-scan guidance in cases involving the pleura, chest wall, and lung tumors that invade the pleura and chest wall. With the ultrasound portable and compact form, in the future is possible if the ultrasound will be a routine part of the examination as well as a stethoscope. However, ultrasound also has limitations which in patients with subcutaneous emphysema, peripheral edema and obesity, lung ultrasound is hard to do. Ultrasound examination is also highly dependent on the experience and ability of the ultrasound operator.