Laboratory Medicine Online  2014;4(2):116-121

doi:10.3343/lmo.2014.4.2.116

Interferon-gamma Release Assay Using Pericardial Fluid and Peripheral Blood for the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Pericarditis: A Case Report.

Kyung Sun PARK 1 ; Hyung Doo PARK ; Chang Seok KI ; Nam Yong LEE ; Sung A CHANG ; Eun Suk KANG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Interferon-gamma release assay; Tuberculous pericarditis

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Here, we report a case in which the rapid diagnosis of tuberculous pericarditis was made using Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific interferon-gamma release assay on peripheral blood and pericardial effusion. Acid-fast bacilli staining, mycobacterial culture, and nucleic acid amplification targeting MTB using pericardial fluid were negative. However, elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity in pericardial fluid and interferon-gamma release assay positivity in both pericardial fluid and peripheral blood indicated the presence of tuberculous pericarditis. After anti-tuberculous and steroid treatment, the patient's clinical symptoms improved, and pericardial effusion has not reoccurred.