[Community-acquired pneumonia: serum adenosine-deaminase activity in the aetiological diagnosis].
BACKGROUND
Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a cytoplasmic enzyme which activity is increased in disorders that stimulate cells involved in the immune system. In community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), increased levels of serum ADA have been associated with the presence of atypical microorganisms as the source of the former. Previous studies have shown ADA increases in non-infectious diseases. We evaluated the factors that may influence plasmatic ADA (ADAp) levels in CAP patients.


METHODS
A study with cases (245 episodes of CAP) and controls (49) was designed, and the differences in ADAp activity with regard to organisms, comorbidity factors and complications were analyzed. A logistic regression analysis was performed.


RESULTS
CAP caused by atypical microorganisms were found to have increased ADAp values. Variables that independently increased ADAp levels were: atypical etiology (OR = 5.9), liver disease (OR = 5.8), diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.9), and prior antibiotic consumption (OR = 1.7).


CONCLUSIONS
ADAp is an etiologic marker that could be useful in the empiric approach of the treatment of CAP.
Fernández Alvarez
Ramón
R
Sección de Neumología, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Tenerife, España. ENELLANO@terra.es
Molinos Martín
Luis
L
Gullón Blanco
José Antonio
JA
Rubinos Cuadrado
Gemma
G
Jiménez
Alejandro
A
Martínez González-Río
Jaime
J
D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000097:blood*; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000097:blood* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase