Adenosine Deaminase Pericardial Fluid

This test is used to analyze the level of adenosine deaminase enzyme present in the pericardial fluid of an individual. This test is useful in evaluating, identifying, assessing the presence of bacterial, viral or auto-immune diseases like extrapulmonary tuberculosis (Mycobacterial infections apart from lungs and respiratory system), HIV, pericarditis, etc.

What is Adenosine Deaminase?

Adenosine deaminase is an enzyme which plays a role in the conversion of adenosine to inosine during purine metabolism. The enzyme breaks down the adenosine present in food and for the synthesis of nucleic acids within cells. It also plays a role in the development and maintenance of immunity within the body. The enzyme stimulates the release of immune cells in the presence of bacterial, viral or other infective agents. Absence of adenosine deaminase enzyme may prevent the formation of the immune cells (T-Lymphocytes, B-Lymphocytes) which leads to reduced immunity and increased sensitivity to bacterial and viral infections.

What is Pericardial fluid?

The layer covering the heart is called the pericardium. The pericardium keeps the heart in place and protects the heart from infections. The pericardium secretes a fluid which covers the heart called as the pericardial fluid. The pericardial fluid lubricates the surface of the heart to prevent friction around the surrounding tissues when the heart beats. The pericardium and pericardial fluid prevent the heart from stretching and overfilling with blood. Changes in the volume, composition of pericardial fluid may occur in conditions like cardiac trauma, kidney diseases, infections or cancers, recent heart surgery, etc.

Why is this test recommended?

This test is recommended to when you may experience certain symptoms like difficulty in breathing, chest pain or pressure, weakness, dizziness, swelling and painful joints, difficulty in moving, weakness or tenderness of joints, muscle and back pain, redness around major joints like knees, fever, upper abdominal pain or feeling of fullness,, etc.

This test can also be recommended if your doctor suspects certain diseases or conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, bacterial or viral pericarditis, leukemia (cancer which affects blood and bone marrow), autoimmune diseases, or any other similar illnesses in the past.

Higher or lower values of adenosine deaminase in pericardial fluid test results may indicate that the individual may have the disease or conditions which can affect heart muscle like trauma, kidney or liver diseases, cancers or tumors, tuberculosis, bacterial or viral pericarditis, rheumatic disease, etc.

Based on the test results, your doctor may advise you appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests, etc.