Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
Published on: December 21, 2019
Carcinomatous and tuberculous pleural effusions. Comparison of tumor markers
Abstract:
As an aid in the differential diagnosis of exudative pleural effusions, tumor markers were investigated. We measured immunosuppressive acidic protein (IAP), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), tissue polypeptide antigen (TPA), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), adenosine deaminase (ADA), and alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) in the pleural fluid of 36 patients with carcinomatous pleural effusions and of 35 patients with tuberculous pleurisy because we have frequently found these diseases to be associated with exudative pleuritis. Tuberculous pleural effusions had significantly higher levels of IAP, ADA, and AGP than carcinomatous effusions (p less than 0.005). On the other hand, CEA, CA 19-9, and TPA were significantly higher in carcinomatous pleural fluids than in tuberculous fluids (p less than 0.05). There was a correlation between IAP and AGP levels, and their specificity was low. Therefore, combined assays of CEA, CA 19-9, and ADA may be useful in distinguishing pleural effusions due to malignancies from those of tuberculous origin.
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...
Pleural Effusion I: Introduction
There are two main types of pleural effusion: transudative and exudative. They are differentiated using Light's criteria,...
Pleural Effusion II: Symptoms and Management
A pleural effusion is the abnormal collection of fluid between the parietal and visceral pleura layers of tissue that form the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. It can occur independently or due to surrounding parenchymal diseases, such as infection, malignancy, or inflammatory conditions.
Clinical Manifestations:

