A case of tuberculous pericarditis--use of adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) in early diagnosis

Pericardial tuberculosis is rare, and because of the difficulty in isolating the causative organism, the diagnosis is often missed. Adenosine deaminase, an enzyme associated with purine metabolism, shows markedly high levels of activity in tuberculous effusion. We report a case of tuberculous pericarditis diagnosed by high levels of adenosine deaminase activity, and where the pericardial fluid cultures revealed acid-fast organisms.