Tired of the confusion around pleural effusions: Adenosine deaminase detection sets the record straight!

Core Tip

Core Tip: Pleural effusion, characterized by the accumulation of fluid in the pleural space, poses significant challenges in clinical practice, particularly in distinguishing inflammatory exudates from non-inflammatory transudates. Adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme primary produced by immune cells, especially lymphocytes, increase in response to inflammatory conditions, including infections such as tuberculosis and malignancies. Elevated ADA levels in pleural have been shown to correlate with inflammatory exudates, making it a valuable biomarker for differentiating between inflammatory and non-inflammatory effusions. Moreover, numerous studies have demonstrated the utility of ADA in inflammation- related pleural effusion syndrome. Recent research has established reference values for the implication of ADA in diagnosing and managing pleural disease. Based on these findings, ADA becomes a reliable, non-invasive marker for early diagnosis and the appropriate treatment of pleural inflammation, ultimately improving patient outcomes.