Publication:

Role of cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase activity in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children

Background Early and correct treatment is essential for successful outcome in patients of tuberculous men-ingitis. Adenosine deaminase activity in the cerebrospinal fluid has been found to be a simple and useful investigation in the diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis in children.

Methods It is a cross sectional observational hospital based study conducted at the Department of Paediatrics, Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Kanchanbagh, Hyderabad, India. Children aged 2 months to 12 years were included in the study during April 2016 to October 2016.

Results The mean value of adenosine deaminase activity in the cerebrospinal fluid of tuberculous meningitis cases was 13.3±14.49. The mean cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase levels in tuberculous meningitis patients was significantly higher than non-tuberculous meningitis patients with P <0.01.

Conclusions The mean cerebrospinal fluid adenosine deaminase level was significantly raised in tuberculous meningitis patients.