title: Usefulness of monitoring beta-glucuronidase in pleural effusions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of the study was to evaluate the additional value of beta-glucuronidase (BGD), a lysosomal enzyme in the analysis of transudative and exsudative pleural effusions, especially between malignant and non-malignant effusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pleural fluid samples obtained from four respective diagnostic groups: transudates parapneumonic effusions, malignant effusions or pleuritis carcinomatosa, and empyema were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Beta-glucuronidase was significantly different between transudative and exsudative effusions (p<0.001) as well as between parapneumonic and malignant effusions (p<0.03), parapneumonic effusions and empyema (p<0.002), and malignant and empyema (p<0.002), respectively. Logistic regression analysis yielded a weak discrimination between the parapneumonic and malignant groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beta-glucuronidase activity differed between pleural effusions of various origin. However, including BGD in the biochemical work-up of pleural effusions did not reveal discriminatory value in the assessment of the classification of these effusions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Cobben
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drent
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Van Dieijen-Visser
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: E F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wouters
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Henderson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005966:Glucuronidase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000032:analysis; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D016066:Pleural Effusion, Malignant / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005966:Glucuronidase