Diagnostic Value of Cerebrospinal Fluid Adenosine Deaminase Enzyme in Tuberculosis Meningitis

Background: Tuberculosis is still considered as one of the major health-care problems in our country and affects annually population of 10 to 20 million TB patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase enzyme in tuberculosis meningitis.

Methods: A total of 67 patients were included in the study based on CSF criteria that were suspected to cause saline meningitis. When performing LP, a 2-cc of CSF fluid was taken to measure the level of ADA fluid in the CSF. The level of ADA liquid CSF was measured using kinetic spectrophotometry.

Results: Highest ADA values in patients with TB meningitis (25.57 ± 19.63 IU/L) and the lowest ADA values in neuro-brucellosis meningitis (2.50 ± 0.57 IU/L). The amount of Cutoff Point was ADA in detecting TB meningitis with a sensitivity of 81.1% and specificity of 76.5%, equal to 9.68 IU ‏.

Conclusion: ADA levels of cerebrospinal fluid in cases of TB meningitis, compared to non-TB meningitis, with a high sensitivity and specificity increase and is a simple and inexpensive diagnostic procedure, along with other diagnostic methods for the rapid diagnosis of TB meningitis.