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Adenosine deaminase activity was estimated in 80 patients of pleural effusions of different etiologies. Patients were classified into three groups (tuberculous (62) / malignant (13) / transudates (5)) based on etiological diagnosis made on pleural biopsy, fluid examination and other investigations. ADA activity was found to be significantly higher In tuberculous effusions (66.41 ± 29.31) when compared to malignant and transudative effusions (p < 0.001). Out of 62 cases of tuberculous pleural effusion, 61 had ADA activity > 38 IU. No correlation was found between ADA activity and total lymphocyte count as well as Mantoux reactivity (r =0.337, p > 0.05). The estimation of ADA activity proved to be simple, cheap and sensitive (98.4%) with positive predictive value of 100%.
