Whereas significant negative correlation between the following pairs of cytokines in DS-TB: IL-18 and IL-1α (p = 0.0076, r = − 0.4), IL-13 and IL-5 (p = 0.0369, r = − 0.3), LTB: IL-12p70 and IL-6 (p = 0.0206, r = − 0.4), HC: IL-12p70 and TNF-α (p = 0.0494, r = − 0.3) shown in Fig. 6a–d. Here, TNF is linked to tuberculosis.