title: Role of Adenosine Deaminase in Common Chronic ENT Infections.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) has been suggested to be an important enzyme which is associated with the cell mediated immunity. But its clinical significance in ENT infections needs to be correlated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of serum adenosine deaminase level estimation in common chronic ENT infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective randomized study. The subjects were divided into 4 groups. Group A consisted of 25 normal healthy individuals who served as the controls. Group B consisted of 25 patients, who were clinically diagnosed as chronic tonsillitis. Group C consisted of 25 patients, clinically diagnosed as chronic rhinosinusitis and Group D consisted of 25 patients, clinically diagnosed as chronic otitis media of mucosal type. The serum levels of ADA were estimated in all the subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of serum ADA was found to be elevated in common chronic ENT infections (Group B,C and D), when compared to control group(Group A) and p<0.05, which is statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  From the present study, it can be concluded that serum ADA level can be considered as one of the essential diagnostic tool in diagnosing common chronic ENT infections.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, JJM Medical College , Davangere, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: U P
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Santosh
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, JJM Medical College , Davangere, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Renukananda
authors.affiliation: Post Graduate Student, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, JJM Medical College , Davangere, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abhilash
keywords: Adenosine deaminase; Chronic otitis media; Chronic rhinosinusitis; Chronic tonsillitis