title: Adenosine deaminase activity in various pathological effusions.
abstract: Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Activity in pathologic effusions was measured. The effusions were pleural (49 cases) peritoneal (38 cases) and pericardial (3 cases). The patients were divided into 6 groups: Group I included 10 cases with tuberculosis, group II included 6 cases with pleural effusions, group III included 46 cases of malignancy, group IV included 15 cases of transudates, group V included 4 miscellaneous cases and group VI included 8 cases of unknown diagnosis. Mean (ADA) activity was 102 +/- 37 U/L in Group I, 45 +/- 46 U/L in Group II, 27 +/- 30 U/L in Group III, 12 +/- 11 in Group IV, 36 +/- 32 in Group V and 38 +/- 42 in Group VI. Specificity and sensitivity for tuberculosis where a value > 41 U/L is taken is 85% and 100% respectively. Assessment of ADA in pathologic effusions is helpful in the diagnosis of tuberculosis but it does not replace the pleural or peritoneal biopsy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine American University of Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Makhlouf
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nassar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makhlouf
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Habbal
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D001706:Biopsy; D015984:Causality; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000737:chemistry / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase