title: Pleural tuberculosis.
abstract: Pleural effusions in tuberculosis are commonly seen in young adults as an immunological phenomenon occurring soon after primary infection. However, the epidemiology and demographics of tuberculous pleurisy are changing due to the impact of HIV co-infection and the increasing number of pleural effusions seen as part of re-activation disease. Pleural biopsy for histology and culture is the mainstay of diagnosis with closed needle biopsy adequate in the majority of cases. Techniques such as PCR of biopsy specimens and the role of pleural fluid ADA are still being evaluated as a diagnostic aid. Tuberculous empyema is less commonly seen in the western world and the diagnostic yield from pleural fluid here is greater than in "primary" effusions. Treatment with appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy is generally successful though there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend the routine use of corticosteroids in this condition.
authors.affiliation: Aintree Chest Centre, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom. biz@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chakrabarti
authors.forename: P D O
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002648:Child; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004654:Empyema, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010994:Pleura / Q000473:pathology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014396:Tuberculosis, Pleural / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000995:Antitubercular Agents