Adenosine deaminase in childhood pulmonary tuberculosis: Diagnostic value in serum

The diagnostic value of serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was evalua ted in childhood pulmonary tuberculosis. Serum ADA levels were measured in 20 children diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis (group 1) and 150 childre n (group 2) including 128 with tuberculosis infection (Mantoux test positiv e) and 22 healthy children. In group 1, the mean serum ADA activity was 74. 06 +/- 18.5 U/l, which was significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that of gr oup 2 (40.36 +/- 12.0 U/l). A serum ADA level of greater than or equal to 5 3.76 Un had a sensitivity of 100 per cent, specificity of 90.7 per cent, po sitive predictive value of 58.8 per cent, and a negative predictive value o f 100 per cent in children with tuberculosis disease. To conclude, measurem ent of serum ADA activity nas a useful diagnostic tool in childhood pulmona ry tuberculosis.