The role of clinical-immunologic parameters in the diagnosis of pleural exudates of different etiology

The aim of the given study was to assess the role of clinical and immunologic parameters in the diagnosis of pleural exudates (PE) of different etiology. Patients were divided into 3 groups: the 1st group (n=28) - parapneumonic PE (PPE); the 2d group (n=12) -tuberculous PE; the 3rd (n=16) - malignancy PE. We revealed that available clinical symptoms are not highly specific markers for clearing nature of pleural exudates. Serum levels of IL-8 and TNF-? were significantly higher in patients with parapneumonic pleural exudates; levels of IL-1? were significantly higher in patients with tuberculous pleural exudates. The study results revealed that number of pleural fluid cytokines might be of higher significance for the diagnosis of pleural exudates compared to peripheral blood cytokines.