Increased pleural fluid adenosine deaminase in brucellosis is difficult to differentiate from tuberculosis.
Pleural involvement in brucellosis is very rare. Current knowledge on brucella pleuritis is limited to a few case studies, and pleural adenosine deaminase (ADA) in brucellosis has not been studied previously. We report the pleural fluid characteristics, including ADA, of two cases with brucella pleurisy. Analysis of the pleural fluids revealed exudative effusions with increased ADA level, decreased glucose concentration, and lymphocyte predominance. The similarity with tuberculous pleurisy was remarkable. We suggest that brucellosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tuberculosis, especially in regions endemic for both diseases.
Dikensoy
Oner
O
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Sahinbey Hospital, Gaziantep University, School of Medicine, Gaziantep, Turkey. dikensoy@yahoo.com
Namiduru
Mustafa
M
Hocaoglu
Sibel
S
Ikidag
Belgin
B
Filiz
Ayten
A
D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D017347:Brucella melitensis; D002006:Brucellosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000201:enzymology*; D010998:Pleurisy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology*; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis
D000243:Adenosine Deaminase