Abstract
Background: High titer of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in pleural effusion is an indicator of pleural tuberculosis and necessity of treatment initiation. On the other hand high serum titer of ADA is a characteristic of tuberculosis, and is used for treatment follow up in patient on standard antituberculosis regimen. Decreasing level of ADA could be a predictor of treatment response.
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 29 patients from Sep 2007 till Dec 2010. All of the tuberculosis patients included had a positive sputum smear or positive biopsy or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). ESR and ADA were checked for these patients in treatment initiation, 30th and 60th day of treatment. According to ADA diagnostic kit values, ADA more than 15 is high.
Results: Mean age of the patients was 38.9 years. Mean ADA before therapy was 19.31 which gradually decreased to 12.37 (on day 30th) and 11 (day 60th). Mean ESR before initiation of therapy was 65 which decreased gradually to 38.66 (day 30th) and finally 23.28. Male patients were 55.2%, 82.8% suffered from pulmonary TB. Comparison of ADA and ESR at the end of therapy showed a significant difference (p=0.000). Mean ADA (60th day) in males was 11.18±1.60 and in females were 10.76±0.42. Mean ESR (60th day) in males was 25.50±5.48 and in females was 23.00±2.02
Conclusion: Decreasing level of serum ADA is a valuable and reliable predictor in successful treatment of tuberculosis.
- © 2011 ERS
