Adenosine Deaminase Test

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a protein synthesised by cells throughout the body. ADA functions by activating lymphocytes. The lymphocytes are a kind of white blood cells that help in the immunological response to infections. When the immune system is triggered, with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (the bacteria that causes tuberculosis or TB), ADA increases in the tissues where bacilli are present. The adenosine deaminase test detects the level of adenosine deaminase protein in the pleural (tissues that line between lungs and chest wall) fluid. The adenosine deaminase test is used for the diagnosis of pleural tuberculosis infection. Adenosine Deaminase or ADA is an enzyme found in human bodies that helps with purine metabolism. The primary purpose of ADA in humans is to keep the immune system established and maintained. Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially fatal infectious ailment affecting the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person through droplets released into the air by coughs and sneezes. This contagious disease has the potential to spread to other parts of your body, including the brain and spine. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a causative agent of TB. After a severe, typically long-term tuberculosis infection, an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lining of the lungs and the lung tissue (pleural space) is known as tuberculous pleural effusion. Pleurae are membranes that line the inside of each lung and cover the chest cavity. During inhalation and expiration, small volumes of pleural fluid continuously lubricate lung movement against these membranes and the membranes against each other. Pleural inflammation (pleurisy or pleuritis) can be due to infection and other diseases. Tuberculosis can spread to the lungs and pleura, producing chest pain, a persistent cough and shortness of breath. Because these symptoms can be associated with a range of other problems, it's critical to figure out what's causing them. The early diagnosis helps the doctor to begin treatment. However, because there may be a large amount of fluid and very few bacteria present, detecting mycobacteria in pleural fluid can be difficult. The adenosine deaminase test result isn't specific and can't substitute culture for tuberculosis diagnosis. The adenosine deaminase test results can be positive even when bacteria numbers are low. Therefore, it can help determine whether tuberculosis is the most likely cause. The adenosine deaminase (ADA) test is a diagnostic test. Still, it is used along with other tests like pleural fluid analysis, acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear and culture and tuberculosis molecular testing to detect if a person has the Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Although it might take a few days or weeks to complete, culture is the "gold standard" for diagnosing tuberculosis and guiding treatment. The AFB smear and molecular testing are quick tests, but they require many bacteria in the fluid to identify them. Although the adenosine deaminase test chart is not conclusive, it is a quick test that can show increased levels even when only a few bacteria are present. Until the culture findings are obtained, the adenosine deaminase reports can help the doctor guide treatment.