Level of serum adenosine deaminase in cases of tuberculous pleural effusion

Aim: to assess the value of adenosine deaminase activity (ada) for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion without performing needle pleural biopsy. methods: this prospective study was conducted at nishtar hospital,multan from may 2013 to september 2013. a total of 60 patients with history and clinical examination suggestive of tuberculous pleural effusion were included in the study. results: the ada activity in the pleural aspirate of all the subjects of group1 and group-ii was estimated. the ada activity was compared in both groups by setting a cut off value 40 u/l. the results were statistically analyzed by applying chi square test. the ada activity of the groupi was 4.2±10.82 u/l while that of group-ii was 24±11 u/l. thirty three in group-i and one of group-ii had ada activity above cut off value. conclusion: the results of this study favour the application of ada activity in pleural fluid as the diagnostic tool for tuberculous pleural effusion without performing an invasive procedure like the pleural biopsy.