Status of serum antibodies against Mycobacterium tuberculosis among sulfur mustard-poisoned Iranian veterans three decades after exposure

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
KOBRA SHIRANI 1
Mahmood Sadeghi 2
Alireza Ghassemi Toussi 3
Behzad Bahadori 4
Bamdad Riahi 3
1 Unit 6.No 1,North golestan Mahestan shahrak gharb
2 Medical Toxicology and Drug Abuse Research Center, School of Medicine, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran.
3 Medical Toxicology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences,
4 Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
10.48311/mjms.2026.120323.82624
Abstract
Background: Sulfur mustard (SM)-exposed veterans suffer from chronic respiratory complications. Many receive immunosuppressive therapy to alleviate pulmonary inflammation, which may create a favorable environment for opportunistic pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB). Timely diagnosis and treatment of TB could improve their respiratory status. This study aimed to assess serum levels of specific anti-TB antibodies (IgM, IgG, IgA) as a screening tool to evaluate TB status in this population.
Methods: Serum anti-TB antibody levels were measured using commercial ELISA kits (Alpha Diagnostic, USA) in 35 male Iranian veterans with at least 25% disability due to SM poisoning three decades earlier.
Results: Titers of all anti-TB antibody classes (IgM, IgG, IgA) were below the cut-off value (<8 U/mL) for all veterans, indicating negative results. No borderline (8–12 U/mL) or positive (>12 U/mL) results were observed.
Conclusion: The universally low antibody levels may reflect SM induced dysfunction of both innate and adaptive immunity. Alternatively, the results could indicate the absence of active TB and suggest that revaccination against TB might be considered for these veterans by their physicians.
Keywords
MycobacterMycobacterium tuberculosis
Sulfur mustardium tuberculosis
Anti TB antibodies
Veterans
Sulfur mustard
Subjects