Pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (pfADA) in the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in a low incidence population.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Previous studies have assessed the diagnostic ability of pleural fluid adenosine deaminase (pfADA) in detecting tuberculous pleural effusions, with good specificity and sensitivity reported. However, in North Western Europe pfADA is not routinely used in the investigation of a patient with an undiagnosed pleural effusion, mainly due to a lack of evidence as to its utility in populations with low mycobacterium tuberculosis (mTB) incidence.

Methods

Patients presenting with an undiagnosed pleural effusion to a tertiary pleural centre in South-West England over a 3 year period, were prospectively recruited to a pleural biomarker study. Pleural fluid from consecutive patients with robust 12-month follow up data and confirmed diagnosis were sent for pfADA analysis.

SUBMITTER: Arnold DT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4315514 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature