BACKGROUND: Leukocyte-endothelial adhesion molecules have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease. ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin are cell surface adhesion molecule on vascular endothelial cells. They are up-regulated by inflammatory cytokines and regulate the adhesion and migration of leukocytes across the endothelium. Tuberculosis, a granulomatous disorder is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The clinical manifestations of tuberculosis are dependent on the cellular immune response to tubercule bacilli. Circulating adhesion molecules are probably formed by cleavage and release into the circulation of the extracellular domain of the membrane bound form. The elevated levels of circulating adhesion molecules have been reported in numerous disease state. To evaluate their role as markers of disease activity in tuberculosis, we measured a sE-selectin, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels in the serum with seventies of mild, moderate and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS: The control and test groups were divided as follows. Group I: control(n=5), Group II: atients with mild pulmonary tuberculosis(n=12), Group III: patients with moderate pulmonary tuberculosis(n=20), Group IV patients with far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis(n=19). Serum sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin were measured by ELISA kit. RESULTS: Serum soluble adhesion molecules are elevated in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. Circulating ICAM-1 levels were significantly elevated in patients with moderate and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis when compared with control group. When compared with control group, serum sVCAM-1 levels showed significant elevation in patients with mild, moderate and far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis. Serum sE-selectin levels were significantly elevated in patients with far advanced pulmonary tuberculosis when compared with control group. CONCLUISON: These results suggest that sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sE-selectin may be invloved lix the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. And, particularly, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 may be useful markers of the disease activity.