Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of "tuberculous pleurisy".

Background: Differential diagnosis between tuberculous pleurisy (TBP) and non- tuberculosis pleural effusion represents a critically important clinical problem. In recent years, several noninvasive methods have been found for diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy. This study aimed to evaluate the value of detection of the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy and compare the results with those of conventional methods.

Interleukin-6 and airflow limitation in chemical warfare patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Objectives: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the main late complications of sulfur mustard poisoning. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum levels of interleukin (IL)-6 in war veterans with pulmonary complications of sulfur mustard poisoning and their correlation with severity of airways disease.

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with sulfur mustard poisoning and stable COPD, and of mean age 46.

Highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels in Iranian patients with pulmonary complication of sulfur mustard poisoning and its correlation with severity of airway diseases.

Background: Sulfur mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that can cause serious pulmonary complications. This study was designed to determine serum highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and evaluate its correlation with lung function parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to SM poisoning.

Methods: Fifty consecutive SM patients with stable COPD and a mean age 46.