As shown in Fig. 3a, the systemic plasma levels of AGE (Geo Mean 6.28 pg/ml in bilateral vs. 3.62 pg/ml in unilateral disease), sRAGE (Geo Mean 693.4 pg/ml in bilateral vs. 440.7 pg/ml in unilateral disease) and S100A12 (Geo Mean 3079 pg/ml in bilateral vs. 1693 pg/ml in unilateral disease) were significantly increased in TB-DM individuals with bilateral disease in comparison with unilateral disease. The gene discussed is S100A12; the disease is tuberculosis.