Open AccessCould IFN-γ predict the development of residual pleural thickening in tuberculous pleurisy?
Author(s) -
Irini Gerogianni,
Μαρία Παπαλά,
Paschalina Tsopa,
Paris Zigoulis,
Andreas Dimoulis,
Κonstantinos Κostikas,
Theodoros Kiropoulos,
K. Gourgoulianis
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
monaldi archives for chest disease. pulmonary series/monaldi archives for chest disease/monaldi archives for chest disease. cardiac series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.196
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 2465-101X
pISSN - 1122-0643
DOI - 10.4081/monaldi.2008.407
Subject(s) - medicine , pleural thickening , adenosine deaminase , pleurisy , tuberculosis , pleural fluid , thickening , pleural effusion , gastroenterology , pathology , adenosine , chemistry , polymer science
Background. The aim of our study was to identify predictive factors for the development of residual pleural thickening (RPT) in patients with tuberculous pleurisy (TP). Methods. A retrospective study of patients with pleural tuberculosis. The clinical and radiological characteristics, and measurements of microbiological and biochemical parameters or markers such as adenosine deaminase (ADA), interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in pleural fluid were studied. Results. Thirty one patients (24 male and 7 female) with a mean age of 55.9 years were studied. There were 25 (80.6%) patients with RPT > 2 mm and 6 (19.4%) patients without RPT. Ten patients (32.2%) had RPT ≥ 10 mm. The rate of pleural thickening was less in small effusions (p<0.05). IFN-γ was higher in patients with RPT ≥ 10 mm (p < 0.05) in comparison with those with RPT < 10 mm. Conclusions. Pleural fluid IFN-γ may deserve further investigation in order to build up preventive and therapeutic strategies against RPT and its clinical complications.