Fig. 1

Elevated IL-17 levels in AFB-positive patients decreased after smear conversion. Plasma levels of a IL-17, b IL-6, c IL-23, and d IFN-γ in the AFB-positive group compared to the AFB-negative group were analyzed by ELISA. Data are presented by a box plot. e The expression of IL-17 and IFN- secreted by PBMCs from the AFB-positive group and AFB-negative group were determined by ELISPOT assays