ABSTRACT
Abstract:Introduction:Tuberculosis (TB) has been one of the health problems in the world.Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis based on finding of AFB in thesputum has several limitations and mycobacterial culture is timeconsuming. So we decided to evaluate biomarker like AdenosineDeaminase (ADA) activity in Bronchoalvolar Lavage(BAL) fluid .Objectives: To study level of BAL ADA in sputum negative suspectedcases of pulmonary tuberculosis and correlate it with BAL GenXpert(Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification) result.Method: We have enrolled suspected sputum negative pulmonary TBand suspected lung malignancy patients (as control). Total 33 patients -17 suspected sputum negative pulmonary TB, 16 suspected lungmalignancy were enrolled in study and subjected to bronchoscopy andBAL fluid was submitted for ADA level and GenXpert for TB.Result: Increased BAL ADA level was found in suspected sputumnegative pulmonary TB as compare to suspected malignancy. IncreasedBAL level was well correlared with GenXpert positivity in suspected TBgroup.Conclusion: BAL fluid ADA can be useful tool for early diagnosis ofsuspected sputum negative pulmonary TB.