The correlation matrix between NAT2 demethylation index and clinicopathological parameters assessed within either 1–7 days or 8–60 days of starting treatment in tuberculosis patients is revealed in Fig. 3A. Pearson’s correlation analysis unveiled that NAT2 demethylation index, measured within 1–7 days of treatment initiation, was inversely correlated with serum levels of ALT and AST, assessed within 8–60 days of starting treatment, in tuberculosis patients (r = − 0.378, P < 0.001; r = − 0.299, P = 0.005; respectively) (Fig. 3B,C). The gene discussed is NAT2; the disease is tuberculosis.