Table 3

Diagnostic accuracy of pleural fluid analysis

ParameterSensitivity (%)Specificity (%)PPV (%)NPV (%)
ADA (IU/l)89.473.990.870.8
Lymphocyte predominance*90.960.987.070.0
ADA >50 IU/l and lymphocyte predominant83.395.798.266.7
Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture positive25.810010031.9
  • * Lymphocytic predominant effusion: >75% lymphocytes and/or lymphocyte to neutrophil ratio >0.75.

  • ADA, adenosine deaminase; NPV, negative predictive value; PPV, positive predictive value.