Description
Tuberculosis occurs worldwide and is rampant in many countries. Though curable, its infection is on the rise. The most specific test is the positive bacterial culture of a patient’s sputum sample. This is cumbersome and time consuming. X-rays, smears for AFB and Tuberculin tests though comparatively rapid are not conclusive. Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) is an enzyme widely distributed in mammalian tissues, particularly in T Lymphocytes. Increased levels of ADA are found in various forms of tuberculosis making it a marker for the same. Though ADA is also increased in various infectious diseases like Infectious Mononucleosis, Typhoid, Viral Hepatitis, initial stages of HIV, and in cases of malignant tumours.
