Table 5.
Characteristics of tuberculous pleurisy according to adenosine deaminase level (≤40 and >40 U/L)
| ADA ≤40 U/L (n=191) | ADA >40 U/L (n=312) | P | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pleural fluid PRO (g/L) | 45.18±9.07 | 48.3±7.72 | <0.01 |
| Pleural fluid GLU (mmol/L) | 4.94±2.23 | 3.27±2.31 | <0.01 |
| Pleural fluid LDH (U/L) | 502±461 | 1406±2137 | <0.01 |
| Lymphocytic predominance in pleural fluid | 93/113 (82.3) | 134/170 (78.8) | 0.472 |
| TB granuloma in pleural biopsy | 99/189 (52.3) | 206/295 (69.8) | <0.01 |
| Underwent decortication | 12/191 (6.3) | 26/312 (8.3) | 0.398 |
| Gross findings on thoracoscopy | |||
| Nodules | 30/190 (15.8) | 36/309 (11.7) | 0.185 |
| Necrosis | 66/190 (34.7) | 137/309 (44.3) | 0.034 |
| Thickening | 94/190 (49.5) | 136/309 (44.0) | 0.235 |
| Positive TB tests | |||
| Serum positive for anti-M. tuberculosis IgG antibody | 48/149 (32.3) | 85/145 (37.0) | 0.345 |
| Pleural fluid positive for anti-M. tuberculosis IgG antibody | 104/162 (64.2) | 198/293 (70.0) | 0.21 |
| Pleural fluid smear, AFB positive | 0/161 (0) | 10/263 (3.8) | 0.012 |
| Sputum smear, AFB positive | 3/142 (2.1) | 11/212 (5.2) | 0.146 |
| Sputum culture positive for M. tuberculosis | 7/86 (8.1) | 26/156 (16.7) | 0.064 |
| Pleural fluid culture positive for M. tuberculosis | 11/148 (7.4) | 72/272 (26.5) | <0.01 |
| Pleural biopsy culture positive for M. tuberculosis | 49/144 (34.0) | 136/263 (51.7) | <0.01 |
M. tuberculosis=Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB=Tuberculosis, PRO=Protein, GLU=Glucose, LDH=Lactate dehydrogenase, ADA=Adenosine deaminase, AFB=Acid-fast bacilli