title: Evaluation of CSF-adenosine deaminase activity in tubercular meningitis.
abstract: Sixty patients of inflammatory brain disease were diagnosed and classified according to clinico-investigational criteria by Ahuja et al into tuberculous meningitis group (36 patients) and non-tuberculous meningitis group (24 patients). Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) patients were classified as probable (9 patients) and possible (27 patients) TBM. Non-TBM group comprised of pyogenic meningitis (8.3%), viral encephalitis (23.3%), cerebral malaria (5%) and enteric encephalopathy (3.3%). Cerebrospinal fluid-adenosine deaminase (CSF-ADA) activities were measured in both TBM and non-TBM groups. Mean CSF-ADA levels in TBM patients was 9.61 +/- 4.10 IU/L and was significantly elevated as compared to viral encephalitis and enteric encephalopathy cases; but difference was insignificant in comparison to pyogenic meningitis (7.92 +/- 0.95 IU/L) and cerebral malaria. Using 8 IU/L as cut off value for diagnosis of TBM a sensitivity of 44% and specificity of 75% was observed.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Gambhir
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Khanna
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014390:Tuberculosis, Meningeal / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase