Background
Elevated pulmonary serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels signify lung tissue damage and severe tuberculosis (TB). Serum ADA assays can be used as an additional criterion for assessing TB treatment response and as a prognostic marker in patients with pulmonary TB. The Bandim TB and Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) scores were developed based on available clinical data and investigations to allow physicians to evaluate disease treatment and response. This study examined the use of a clinical scoring system (Bandim TB and KPS scores) in the context of serum ADA activity.
Methods
Forty adults (aged >18 years) diagnosed with pulmonary TB by Ziehl-Neelsen staining for acid-fast bacilli and/or cartridge-based nucleic acid amplification test were recruited. Standardized questionnaires were used to record Bandim TB and KPS scores. Serum ADA levels were estimated using a commercial kit.
Results
The Bandim TB score was positively associated (ρ=0.74, P≤0.001) and the KPS score was negatively associated (ρ=-0.69, P≤0.001) with serum ADA levels.
Conclusion
Subjective and objective clinical scores of pulmonary TB were strongly correlated with serum ADA levels. Knowledge of clinical scores corresponding to serum ADA levels could help physicians understand stage and progression of the disease which may aid in early detection and better management, and reduce disease transmission in a TB-endemic country.

Citations

• A novel hematological score (HS) and its related nomogram model to predict nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease in patients with suspected multidrug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis
  Qi Yu, Shengling Hu, Fenfang Liu, Fengyun Gong
  Annals of Medicine.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Correlation Between MTB/RIF Gene Xpert Cycle Threshold Values and Clinical Radiological Severity of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
  Rachmi Merrina, Budi Yanti, Yunita Arliny
  Indonesian Journal of Tropical and Infectious Disease.2024; 12(2): 73.     CrossRef