USE OF ADENOSINE-DEAMINASE AS A DIAGNOSTIC-TOOL FOR TUBERCULOUS PLEURISY

Background - A statistical audit of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in pleur al effusions was undertaken. Methods - ADA analysis, cytological and m icrobiological examinations, and differential cell counts were perform ed on 462 pleural fluid samples. Results - ADA activity in tuberculous effusions was higher than in any other diagnostic group. At a level o f 50 U/1 the sensitivity and specificity for the identification of tub erculosis was 90% and 89%, respectively. Conclusions - ADA activity re mains a useful test in the evaluation of pleural effusions.