pleural effusion in TB are exudative, lymphocyte predominant, have low glucose, and elevated adenosine deaminase

• related: pleural effusion, Tuberculosis
• tags: #permanent

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Tuberculous effusions usually present with fever, cough, pleurisy, and weight loss. Thoracentesis typically reveals a lymphocyte-predominant, exudative effusion. Although malignancy may present with similar findings, an elevated adenosine deaminase level strongly suggests TB. As tuberculous pleural effusions are caused by a hypersensitivity reaction to M tuberculosis or its antigens, pleural fluid smear is usually aseptic (unlike tuberculous empyemas) and pleural biopsy is often required for diagnosis.

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• pleural effusion
  • pleural effusion in TB are exudative, lymphocyte predominant, have low glucose, and elevated adenosine deaminase
• Tuberculosis
  • pleural effusion in TB are exudative, lymphocyte predominant, have low glucose, and elevated adenosine deaminase
• transudative vs exudative pleural fluid causes
  • Transudative fluid are normally caused by increased hydrostatic or decreased oncotic pressure. This usually happens in heart failure, cirrhosis, or nephrotic syndrome. Exudative fluid are caused by inflammation of the pleural surface and can be caused by infection (simple effusion, uncomplicated, complicated parapneumonic effusion, empyema), TB (pleural effusion in TB are exudative, lymphocyte predominant, have low glucose, and elevated adenosine deaminase), pancreatitis (elevated amylase in pleural effusion suggests esophageal rupture or pancreatitis), PE, or connective tissue disease (pleural fluid with very high LDH and low glucose are found in either empyema or rheumatoid pleurisy).