Adenosine Deaminase (also known as adenosine aminohydrolase, or ADA) is an enzyme involved in purine metabolism. It is needed for the breakdown of adenosine from food and for the turnover of nucleic acids in tissues. Its primary function in humans is the development and maintenance of the immune system. However, the full physiological role of ADA is not yet completely understood.
An extra pulmonary manifestation of Tuberculosis namely pleural effusion and ascites is common in Indian clinical scenario. When Sputum for AFB is not possible to test and the biochemical and cytological picture of pleural fluid or ascitic fluid including clinical pathology reports are supportive of Tuberculous origin, ADA positivity is now used routinely to decide about the line of treatment in Pulmonology. ADA can be used in the workup of lymphocytic pleural effusions or peritoneal ascites, in that such…
