Adenosine deaminase activity in tuberculous pericarditis.

Abstract

Adenosine deaminase (Enzymes Commission No 3.5.4.4) is an enzyme capable of catalysing the catabolism of purine bases. Previous studies have shown that this enzyme may be useful in recognition of a tuberculous aetiology of pleural, peritoneal, or meningeal effusions.s Adenosine deaminase assay is a simple, sensitive, and specific diagnostic procedure in these conditions but its use in diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis has not previously been reported.