[Role of c-c chemokines in the determination of pleural effusion etiology].

UNLABELLED The purpose of the study was to evaluate predictive value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS By Light's criteria in 29 cases exudates and 10 transudates was recognized. We investigated 39 patients with pleural effusion (congestive heart failure--10, parapneumonic--11, tuberculous--6, malignant--12, transudate--10). RESULTS The mean VEGF value were significantly higher (p = 0.002) in the effusion of lung cancer patient (3958.33 pg/ml) than in the serum (1030.33 pg/ml). The mean VEGF levels were significantly higher (p = 0.004) in patient with exudates (2711.10 pg/ml) than in transudates (683 pg/ml). Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, cut off value in differentiation of exudates and transudates was accepted at the level of 560 pg/ml (sensitivity 80% and specificity 70%). The mean VEGF levels were significantly higher (p = 0.008) in the malignant effusion (3958.33 pg/ml) than in the tuberculous effusion (1308.90 pg/ml). Based on the ROC curve analysis, cut off value in differentiation of malignant and tuberculous effusion was accepted at the level of 2000 pg/ml (sensitivity 92% and specificity 83%). The positive correlation between pleural VEGF concentrations and pleural lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level were observed (r = 0.67, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION We conclude that pleural effusion VEGF level could be useful in the differentiation between exudates and transudate and also between malignant and tuberculous exudates.