The Role of Interferon-Gamma, Detected by Radioimmunoassay, in diagnosing Pleural Tuberculosis

Abstract

The level of interferon-gamma m pleural effusion has been reported to be increased m pleural tuberculosis. The aim of this study is to compare the concentrations of interferon-gamma in the pleural 11uid of patients with pleural effusion of different etiologies and to detem1ine the value of estimating interferon-gamma in pleural fluid for diagnosing tuberculous pleurisy in Egyptian patients. It is also aimed to correlate between interferon-gamma and other tested parameters in the pleural fluid as glucose, total protein and albumin. This study_rvas performed on 74 patients suffering

from pleural effusions, classified into 5 groups: 30 with tub,::rculous effusion,11 with malignant effusion,9 with transudative effusion,!0 with empyemic effusion and 14 with non-specific effusion. Interferon-gamma was eva!.uated by radio-immunoassay and the other tested parameters were estimated colouremetrically.The sensitivity and the specificity of interferon-gamma were 100% in the tuberculous group and there. were no significant correlation between it and the other parameters.ln conclusion, the level of interferon-gamma in pleural fluid is a very good diagnostic marker for tuberculous pleural effusion.