Wang Q, et al. - Researchers assessed macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) serum levels as a predictor of outcomes of anti-TB treatment in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Overall 287 patients diagnosed with culture-confirmed PTB without treatment were examined. Using immunoassay, they quantified serum levels of MIF. C-reactive protein (CRP) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels (established biomarkers) were also measured. They assessed mortality in 12 months as well as mortality in 3, 6, 9 months. They found that compared with CRP or IL-6, the serum level of MIF was a better predictor of death in HIV-negative PTB patients. Findings revealed a link between increased MIF serum levels and higher mortality. By combing MIF with currently established risk indicators, an elevation was noted in area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (±standard error), from 0.81 (±0.035) to 0.84 (±0.031).