Sputum adenosine deaminase and alkaline phosphatase activity in pulmonary tuberculosis

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to determine adenosine deaminase (ADA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in sputum for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Methods: This study comprised of 64 subjects (33 pulmonary tuberculosis and 31 lung cancer). The ADA and ALP activity was measured in sputum and serum.

Results: The mean ADA activity in sputum, serum and mean sputum/serum ADA ratio was 205.20 IU/L, 42.32 IU/L and 4.90 in pulmonary tuberculosis and 127.74 IU/L, 29.90 IU/L and 4.27 in lung cancer subjects respectively. The mean ALP activity in sputum, serum and mean sputum/serum ALP ratio was 461.34 IU/L, 159.24 IU/L and 2.90 in pulmonary tuberculosis and 226.64 IU/L, 119.87 IU/L and 1.99 in lung cancer subjects respectively.

Conclusion: The mean ADA and ALP activity was significantly increased in pulmonary tuberculosis as compared to lung cancer subjects and hence may be a useful tool for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Keywords::

• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• adenosine deaminase
• alkaline phosphatase
• sputum

Acknowledgement

We sincerely thank the Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Bhopal for their kind support and for providing samples for lung cancer subjects.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.