Diagnostic role of adenosine deaminase (ADA) in ascites

 

 

Abstract              Background: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was found to be high in pulmonary and extra pulmonary form of tuberculosis. Hence this prospective study is undertaken to determine diagnostic role of ascitic fluid ADA activity in differentiating between tubercular and nontubercular ascites. Material and method: The descriptive study was conducted in ACPM Medical College Dhule Maharashtra India. Total 120 patients of clinically diagnosed ascites admitted in the hospital in Medicine ward and Intensive Care Unit were studied. Ascitic fluid ADA values are determined in all ascites patients. Result: In present study, out of 120 Ascites patients 15(12.5%) patients were having TB ascites. There was significant difference in the variable i.e. age; sex and biochemical parameters like Serum Albumin; ESR; TLC/cm; lymphocyte (%); Ascitic fluid biochemistry and microbiology and ADA. Sensitivity and specificity of ADA with cut off 30 U/L; 33 U/L and 40 U/L were high in diagnosing tuberculoses ascites i.e. about 90 %. Percent of false positive in all group were also minimum i.e. 1.9%. Conclusion: ADA estimation is specific, sensitive, predictive ancillary tool which serves as definitive supplementary and supportive test for the diagnosis of tubercular ascites.

Key Word: Adenosine deaminase; Ascites; Tuberculosis