Fig. 4.

Association between mycobacterial loads in sputum, systemic inflammation and radiological improvement of TB lung lesions. a Frequency of individuals exhibiting radiological improvement of lung lesions assessed by chest x-ray in the groups of TB patients according to the indicated AFB status in smear samples at pre-ATT. Data was analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. b Serum levels of CRP were compared between day 0 and day 60 of ATT in TB patients stratified by improvement lung lesions assessed by chest X-ray. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test. * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001. c Different models of regression analysis adjusted for age, gender and hemoglobin levels were employed to determine the association between low AFB sputum smear grade (<2+), low serum levels of CRP (concentrations below the median value of the entire study population, 4.7 mg/L) at pre-ATT and radiological improvement at day 60 of ATT