FREQUENCY OF TUBERCULOUS PERICARDITIS IN PATIENTS WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF PERICARDITIS

Background : During the past decades the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB) has declined and its prognosis has changed dramatically due to chemotherapy; however, cases of tuberculous pericarditis are still reported worldwide. Materials and methods : The study population included 19 men and 11women aged 12-76 years admitted to the hospital for acute pericardial disease. The diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis was verified based on the adenosin deaminase activity (ADA), culture on Lowenstein-Jensen media, Ziehl Neelsen staining, biopsy of pericardial tissue and evaluation of tuberculin test. Results : Of 30 patients, 13 (43.3%) had tuberculous pericarditis. All of whom had clinical TB manifestations. The culture of pericardial fluid in 6 patients (46%), staining in 3 (23%), and the culture of pericardial tissue in 6 patients (46%) were positive. The caseating granuloma w identified in 46% of cases. Ten case (77%) had positive PPD reaction. All tuberculous pericarditis patients had ADA level of >45U/l. Conclusion : Results have revealed that measurement of ADA level may prove a good screening test for early diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis. Keywords : Pericarditis, Tuberculosis, Adenosine deaminase activity