Table 1.

Differentiation between Transudate and Exudate

	Transudate	Exudate
Appearance	Serous	Cloudy
Leukocyte count	< 10,000/mm3	> 50,000/mm3
pH	> 7.2	< 7.2
Protein	< 3.0 g/dL	> 3.0 g/dL
Ratio of protein in pleural fluid to serum	< 0.5	> 0.5
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)	< 200 IU/L	> 200 IUL
Ratio of LDH in pleural fluid to serum	< 0.6	> 0.6
Glucose	≥ 60 mg/dL	< 60 mg/dL

LDH, Lactate dehydrogenase.