Related Experiment Videos
[The value of ADA in peritoneal tuberculosis]
A Giménez Roca1, X Xiol, J Castellote
1Servicio de Aparato Digestivo, Hospital de Bellvitge-Prínceps d'Espanya, Barcelona.
Revista Espanola De Enfermedades Digestivas
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Ascitic fluid adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) is a highly accurate and cost-effective diagnostic tool for tuberculous peritonitis. Measuring ADA levels in ascitic fluid offers excellent sensitivity and specificity for tuberculosis screening.
Area of Science:
- Medical diagnostics
- Infectious diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Tuberculous peritonitis diagnosis can be challenging.
- Ascitic fluid analysis is crucial for differentiating causes of ascites.
- Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme potentially indicative of tuberculous infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the utility of ascitic fluid adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) for diagnosing tuberculous peritonitis.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of ADA levels in distinguishing tuberculous from non-tuberculous ascites.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 109 patients with ascites.
- Measurement of adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) in ascitic fluid samples.
- Comparison of ADA levels between patients with tuberculous peritonitis and non-tuberculous ascites.
Main Results:
- Mean ascitic fluid ADA was significantly higher in tuberculous peritonitis (0.587 +/- 0.2 uKat/l) compared to non-tuberculous ascites (0.11 +/- 0.1 uKat/l) (p < 0.001).
- An ADA threshold above 0.40 uKat/l demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 99% specificity for tuberculous peritonitis.
- The ADA assay is simple, inexpensive, and exhibits high diagnostic accuracy.
Conclusions:
- Ascitic fluid ADA determination is a reliable and accurate method for diagnosing tuberculous peritonitis.
- Given its simplicity and cost-effectiveness, ADA measurement is recommended as a screening test for tuberculosis in high-incidence regions.