A case of tuberculous pericarditis : Importance of adenosine deaminase activity in pericardial fluid
Tetsurou Inoue M.D., Kanji Iga M.D., Kenjirou Hori M.D., Tadashi Matsumura M.D., Hiromitsu Gen M.D., Kazuhisa Kijima M.D., *Yoshiaki Koori M.D., *Takekuni Iwata M.D.
Abstract
We present a case of tuberculous pericarditis which was diagnosed early
both by a high titer of adenosine deaminase activity in pericardial fluid
and strongly positive tuberculin test. Within 2 weeks after the treatment,
pericardial effusion gradually decreased while clinical symptoms improved
markedly. Culture from sputum, gastric juice, urine, and the pericardial
fluid were negative for tubercle bacillus. Measurement of adenosine deaminase
activity in pericardial fluid is as important a supplementary diagnostic
test for tuberculous pericarditis as it is for tuberculous pleuritis, because
negative Ziehl Neelsen staining and culture for tubercle bacillus are common
in tuberculous pericarditis.