Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis is a major contributor of exudative pleural effusion which is the second most common extra-pulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis following tubercular lymphadenitis. Tuberculous pleural effusion is lymphocytic and exudative characteristics. The analysis adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity is a very useful diagnostic approach to achieve a more rapid and precise diagnosis in the cases of pulmonary TB.

Aims & Objective: To study the value of adenosine deaminase level in tuberculous pleural effusion.

Materials and Methods: Eighty cases presenting with tuberculous pleural effusion and 20 cases with non tuberculous pleural effusion were included in the study Department of Pathology, Medical College, Baroda ADA estimation in pleural fluid were carried out as per standard techniques of Galanti and Guisti (1974).

Results: There is an increased level of enzyme ADA in pleural fluid of tuberculous patients as compared to non tuberculous effusions.

Conclusion: Estimation of ADA activity may provide the basis for the rapid and efficient diagnosis of pleural TB in different clinical settings. However study should be carried out on large number of patients to reach a better conclusion.

Key words: Adenosine deaminase; Tuberculous effusion; Pleural fluid; Exudative pleural effusions