title: Use of adenosine deaminase as a diagnostic tool for tuberculous pleurisy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A statistical audit of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in pleural effusions was undertaken.
  
  
  METHODS
  ADA analysis, cytological and microbiological examinations, and differential cell counts were performed on 462 pleural fluid samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ADA activity in tuberculous effusions was higher than in any other diagnostic group. At a level of 50 U/l the sensitivity and specificity for the identification of tuberculosis was 90% and 89%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADA activity remains a useful test in the evaluation of pleural effusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Burgess
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Maritz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Le Roux
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Taljaard
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004796:Clinical Enzyme Tests; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase