Predictive role of adenosine deaminase for differential diagnosis of tuberculosis and malignant pleural effusion in Turkey.

Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) is a common problem for differential diagnosis from malignant effusion (MPE) in epidemic areas of tuberculosis (TB). Prediction based on adenosine deaminase (ADA) is dependent on age as well as the tuberculosis incidence. The aim of the study was to evaluate cutoff values for ADA with sensitivity and specificity results for the differential diagnosis of MPE and TPE in a population with intermediate incidence of TB.