The diagnostic effect of sequential detection of ADA screening and T-SPOT assay in pleural effusion patients

Abstract

<b>Purpose:</b> To evaluate the diagnostic effect of sequential detection of Adenosine deaminase (ADA) screening and T-SPOT assay on tuberculosis (TB) pleurisy in pleural effusion patients. <b>Materials and methods:</b> 248 pleural effusion patients (172 TB and 76 non-TB) were retrospectively analyzed in the study. The concentrations of ADA and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in pleural fluids and serum samples of the patients. T-SPOTT assays were performed in pleural fluids. The relationship between ADA, T-SPOT and the occurrence of TB pleurisy was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. <b>Results:</b> The level of pleural ADA and positive rate of T-SPOT were all higher in TB pleurisy group than non-TB pleurisy group (<i>p</i> < .001). The positive rate of T-SPOT detection reached 98.83% in the TB pleurisy group while only 40.7% in non-TB pleurisy group (<i>p</i> < .001). Additionally, 8 patients (4.65%) in the TB pleurisy group showed the level of pleurisy ADA exceeded 40 IU/L while only one patient (1.31%) in the non-TB pleurisy group. <b>Conclusion:</b> The sequential detection of ADA screening and T-SPOT assay was found to be an accurate and rapid method for identifying TB pleurisy from pleural effusion, which would promote effective treatment.