Tuberc Respir Dis.  2002 Jan;52(1):70-75. 10.4046/trd.2002.52.1.70.

A Case of Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Pneumonia Accompanying High Adenosine Deaminase Activity in Pleural Effusion

• Seo HE
• Kim YJ
• Kim SK
• Kang HJ
• Do YK
• Yoon HJ
• Chyun JH
• Lee BK
• Kim WH

• KMID: 1877019
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2002.52.1.70

Abstract

Mycoplasma pneumioniae has a unique genomic composition, cellular biology, and a fastidious nature as the smallest cell-free living oranism that lacks a cell wall. Previous studies have suggested that a clinical manifesta tion of a M. pneumoniae infection is a consequence of a host immune response, particularly involving cellular immunity. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is the main T-lymphocyte enzyme, and its activity is high in diseases where cellular immunity is stimulated. Therefore, its activity is useful for diagnosing a tuberculous pleural effusion. A pleural effusion is found in 5-20% of Mycoplasma pneumonia patients. However, there are few reports of high ADA activity in a mycoplasmal pleural effusion. Here we report a case of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection established by a polymerase chain reaction and serologic tests, accompanying high ADA activity in a pleural effusion.

Keyword

Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pleural effusion; Adenosine deaminase

MeSH Terms

Adenosine Deaminase*
Adenosine*
Cell Wall
Humans
Immunity, Cellular
Mycoplasma pneumoniae*
Mycoplasma*
Pleural Effusion*
Pneumonia*
Pneumonia, Mycoplasma*
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Serologic Tests
T-Lymphocytes
Adenosine
Adenosine Deaminase