Distinguishing tuberculosis pleural effusion from parasitic pleural effusion using pleural fluid characteristics: A case control study

Tuberculosis pleural effusion (TPE) and parasitic pleural effusion (PPE) present with similar clinical manifestations. We evaluated the pleural fluid features of TPE and PPE. A total of 76 patients with pleuritis, including 25 patients with TPE and 51 patients with PPE were retrospectively studied. Pleural fluid was sent for analyses of protein, cytology, cell count, acid fast bacilli (AFB) staining, Gram stain, culture, sensitivity, and adenosine dehydrogenase (ADA). The proportion of eosinophilia present in the PPE group was significantly higher than that in the TPE group (P < .001). However, the proportion of lymphocytes found in the TPE group was significantly higher than that in the PPE group (P < .001). The mean level (SD) of ADA was 46.99 ± 22.09 U/L in the TPE group and 39.08 ± 23.03 U/L in the PPE group. No difference was detected between the study groups in terms of the ADA level of the pleural fluid (P > .05). When the results of pleural fluid testing reveal marked eosinophilia and a low proportion of lymphocytes, physicians should consider a diagnosis of PPE, especially for patients who live in or have traveled to endemic areas.