Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Level in Tubercular Pleural Effusion.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To study the value of adenosine deaminase level in tuber-cular pleural effusion.

DESIGN

A hospital based observational study.

SETTING

Out and In patients service of department of Tuberculosis & Chest Diseases, MLN Medical College Allahabad.

PATIENTS

50 consecutive patients of pleural effusion, who were above the age of 12 years, were studied.

RESULTS

Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase was more than 36 IU/L (36 to 229.7 IU/L) in tubercular pleural effusion (34 patients). In case of malignancy no. of patients was 08 and pleural fluid adenosine deaminase was more than 18.5 IU/L (18.5 to 87.6 IU/L). While in one case of hypoprotenemiea pleural fluid adenosine deaminase was 8.21 IU/L. If 36 IU/L is taken as cut of limit the sensitiv-ity and specificity of ADA for tuberculosis is 100 % and 77.7 %. More than 100 IU/L was exclusively seen in tubercular pleural effusion.

CONCLUSION

ADA > 100IU/L was observed in TB only.