American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society 2005 standardization of DL measurement: impact on performance.

Background And Objective: An updated standardization statement on measurement of DL(CO) was issued by the American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Task Force in 2005. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of new recommendations on the success rate, test efficiency, measurement variability and reported results of DL(CO) testing.

Methods: We prospectively evaluated 55 Chinese patients without previous experience of the DL(CO) test in 2006.

Percentage reduction of pleural effusion as a simple predictor of pleural scarring in tuberculous pleuritis.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the utility of serum and pleural fluid biomarkers for predicting residual pleural scarring (RPS) in tuberculous pleuritis.

Methodology: A retrospective study of patients with pleural tuberculosis was performed. Demographic data, clinical parameters, haematological indices, serum and pleural fluid biochemistry and pleural effusion area were assessed for correlation with the extent of RPS.

Assay of pleural fluid interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma in the diagnosis and outcome correlation of tuberculous effusion.

Objective: To assess the usefulness of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the diagnosis and prediction of outcome of pleural tuberculosis.

Patients And Methods: Pleural fluid from 32 TB and 34 non-TB patients was sent for assay of IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. Clinical parameters at presentation and residual pleural scarring at completion of treatment were assessed for pleural TB cases.