Diagnosing Tuberculous Pleural Effusions with IP-10 and LAM Antigen Levels
Author Information
Author(s): Dheda Keertan, Van-Zyl Smit Richard N., Sechi Leonardo A., Badri Motasim, Meldau Richard, Symons Gregory, Khalfey Hoosein, Carr Igshaan, Maredza Alice, Dawson Rodney, Wainright Helen, Whitelaw Andrew, Bateman Eric D., Zumla Alimuddin
Primary Institution: University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Hypothesis
The study investigates the diagnostic utility of IP-10 and LAM antigen levels for tuberculous pleural effusions in a high burden setting.
Conclusion
IP-10 may be a useful rule-out test for tuberculous pleural effusions, but larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Supporting Evidence
- IP-10 levels were significantly higher in TB vs non-TB participants.
- ADA showed high sensitivity but sub-optimal specificity.
- NAAT had poor sensitivity but high specificity.
- LAM antigen detection was not diagnostically useful.
Takeaway
Doctors are trying to find better ways to tell if someone has tuberculosis in their lungs by testing for certain proteins in fluid from around the lungs.
Methodology
The study compared the diagnostic utility of ADA, NAAT, IP-10 levels, and LAM antigen detection in pleural effusions from 78 tuberculosis suspects.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the study being conducted in a single high burden setting.
Limitations
The sample size was small, and results may not be generalizable to low burden settings.
Participant Demographics
Participants were South African tuberculosis suspects, with a mean age of 37 years, and 49% were HIV positive.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.0001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website