Exploration of significance of adenosine deaminase in patients with tuberculous pleurisy

[Objective] To explore the significance of adenosine deaminase in patients with tuberculous pleurisy. [Methods] the levels of ADA in pleural fluid, serum and BALF in 32 patients with tuberculous pleurisy and 28 patients with malignant hydrothorax were detected respectively.[Results] The mean value of ADA in pleural fluid, serum and BALF in patients with tuberculous pleurisy were(46.68±1.64),(23.46±1.28)and(22.56±1.17)u/L respectively, their value in patients with malignant hydrothorax were(24.76±2.34), (22.76±1.34)and (21.96±1.85)u/L respectively. Compared with the two groups, only in pleural fluid their values were significantly difference(P 0.01),and the others two were no significantly difference(P 0.05); in patients with tuberculous pleurisy ,the ratio of ADA in pleural fluid than in serum was(1.82±0.26)(A1),and in pleural fluid than in BALF was(1.78±0.29)(A2), there is no significantly difference(P 0.05)between A1 and A2; in patients with malignant hydrothorax, the ratio of ADA in pleural fluid than in serum was(1.02±0.16)(B1),and in pleural fluid than in BALF was(0.98±0.26)(B2), there was no significantly difference(P 0.05)between B1 and B2;but there were significantly difference(P 0.05)between A1 and B1,A2 and B2(P 0.01).[Conclusion] Adenosine deaminase is specific for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy. The ratio A1 and A2 reaching to 1.8 has clinical significance.