Role of ADA in the Differential Diagnosis of Pleural Effusion

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is one of the oldest and commonest infectious diseases. According to World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis is estimated to affect more than a billion individuals worldwide with 8.7 million cases and 1.4 million deaths each year. Adenosine deaminase has been proposed to be a useful surrogate marker for tuberculosis in pleural fluids. Studies have confirmed high sensitivity and specificity of Adenosine deaminase for early diagnosis of extra pulmonary tuberculosis. Materials and Methods: study comprised of 100 cases of pleural fluid. In this study we divided cases in to three groups: Group 1 (Tuberculosis) 52 cases, Group 2 (Malignancy) 26 cases and Group 3 (Non-tuberculosis non-malignancy effusion) 22 cases. ADA estimation was carried in all cases of pleural fluid. Results: Tuberculous pleural effusion is most common cause than other effusion. Male (57 Cases) are more predominant affected than female (43 cases) in all type of pleural effusion. Pleural effusion is more common in 18-50 year of age group (37 Cases). ADA value is higher in TB pleural effusion then other types of effusion, Mean ADA level in TB pleural effusion was 28.8 ±7.80 IU/L. Conclusion: Estimation of ADA in pleural fluid is simple, inexpensive and rapid and also specific and sensitive for diagnosis of tuberculous effusion. Most common cause of pleural effusion was tuberculosis after malignant pleural effusion.