Application research of Cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase in tuberculous meningitis diagnosis

OBJECTIVE To discuss application value of cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase(CSF-ADA)for tuberculous meningitis diagnosis.METHODS We retrospectively summarized 80 cases who were diagnosed as tuberculus meningitis in our department from 2005-2010.At the same time,76 cases with other nervous system diseases were selected in same period in our hospital.CSF-ADA of the two groups were compared and analyzed at the time of 7 days,14 days,21 days,30 days and recovery after 3 months,while CSF-ADA of 5 patients with simply pulmonary tuberculosis were also compared with patients with tuberculous meningitis.(P﹤0.05 for statistical significance).RESULTS 7 days after the onset,CSF-ADA levels reached the peak,and then began to decline at the time of 14 days.With the treatment progress and course of development,the CSF-ADA level began to decrease.There were statistically significant difference(P﹤0.05)of ADA level in each time points,and also showed significant difference between the two groups(P﹤0.05).CONCLUSION CSF-ADA have high accuracy,sensitivity and specificity as an diagnosis index for tuberculous meningitis.