Value of serum cytokine biomarkers TNF-α, IL-4, sIL-2R and IFN-γ for use in monitoring bacterial load and anti-tuberculosis treatment progress

•Serum cytokine levels may correlate with tuberculosis patient disease status.•Serum TNF-α level may be a useful biomarker for predicting bacillar burden.•Serum TNF-α and IFN-γ levels may reliably monitor anti-TB treatment progress.•Serum IL-4 level had no value while serum IL-2R level value awaits further study.•Cytokine biomarkers are useful biomarkers in clinical TB patient care settings.