Diagnostic Significance of Interferon-γ,Adenosine Deaminase in Effusion of Tuberculous Pleurisy

[Objective]To investigate the diagnostic value of interferon -γ ( IFN-γ) and adenosine deaminase (ADA ) in tuberculous pleural effusions.[Methods]IFN-γ concentrations and ADA activity in all the specimens were determined by ELISA and enzyme kinetic analytical method respectively.[Results]①ADA activity and IFN-γ level in tuberculous effusions were significantly higher than those in malignant effusion respectively ( P 0.01),while those in the latter were significantly higher than those in leakage effusion respectively. ②By analysis of ROC curves,the cut-off values for IFN-γ and ADA were defined. The sensitivity and specificity of IFN-γ for tuberculous effusion were 92.2%and 97.6% respectively. Those of ADA were 84.3% and 90.5%.[Conclusion]IFN-γ and ADA can be used as valuable parameters for the differentiation of tuberculous from malignant effusion,and IFN-γ is more sensitive and specific than ADA.