BACKGROUND Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in the escalation of fibrosis and remodeling which are central to the subsequent progression of a parapneumonic pleural effusion to empyema. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was the assessment of MMP-2, MMP-8 and MMP-9 in parapneumonic pleural effusions in order to examine their value in the differentiation between uncomplicated...

Results: Increase Uric acid level was observed in pleural fluid of transudative pleural effusion than exudative pleural effusion. It was also observed that the level of uric acid was more in pleural fluid than serum and ratio (pleural fluid / serum) of uric acid was ≥ 1 in transudative conditions but in case of exudative condition the this ratio was < 1. The optimum cut-off level for P uric aci...

UNLABELLED The differentiation between exudates and transudates is the initial step in the analysis of pleural effusions as it often gives an indication of the underlying pathophysiologic process, the differential diagnosis, and the need for further investigations. Four classifications have been suggested in the literature: Light's criteria, serum-effusion albumin gradient, effusion cholesterol...

BACKGROUND The objective of the study was to evaluate the additional value of beta-glucuronidase (BGD), a lysosomal enzyme in the analysis of transudative and exsudative pleural effusions, especially between malignant and non-malignant effusions. DESIGN AND METHODS Pleural fluid samples obtained from four respective diagnostic groups: transudates parapneumonic effusions, malignant effusions o...

The samples of pleural fluid obtained by thoracentesis for the diagnosis of transudates and exudates shall follow a routine of collection and preservation for an appropriate laboratorial analysis. Equally, fragments of pleura biopsy obtained for the differential diagnosis of the exudates should be collected in a systematic way in order to optimize the diagnosis and facilitate the institution of...

Pleural effusion appears in approximately 40% of patients with pneumonia. Given that microbiology results are often negative, its diagnosis is frequently based on clinical criteria. Our study consisted of 266 patients, divided into infectious (n = 34), tuberculous (n = 54), paraneoplastic (n = 63), miscellaneous exudates (n = 53), and transudates (n = 62). Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-1beta...

INTRODUCTION In Rio de Janeiro, in almost half of the cases of pleural tuberculosis (PT) treatment begins without substantiation of diagnosis. We examined variables associated with this disease. METHOD We studied 215 consecutive patients; 104 had tuberculosis (TB) and 111 did not (NTB): 41 neoplasms, 29 transudates, 28 para-pneumonic and 13 other etiologies. Clinical and laboratory variables ...

The OBJECTIVE was to promote the official introduction into clinical practice of term «fibrinothorax» as a separate nosological unit and special form exudative pleurisy. This reflects essence timing pathological process in pleural cavity defines specific set necessary therapeutic diagnostic measures. METHODS AND MATHERIALS . 67 patients with fibrinothorax different volumes were examined treated...