Adenosine deaminase - red cell
Last updated: Tuesday, 06, April, 2004
MBS Online Search Page: Click here for details
| Item | Process |
|---|---|
| Specimen | 1 mL blood (or pleural fluid) in lithium heparin tube. |
| Method | Spectrophotometry. |
| Reference Interval | Method dependent. |
| Application | Diagnosis of severe combined immunodeficiency due to adenosine deaminase deficiency. Analysis of pleural fliud may be useful in the diagnosis of tuberculosis effusions. |
| Interpretation | The test must not be done if the patient has had a recent transfusion as the levels may be normal due to the enzyme present in the donor red cells. Patients with adenosine deaminase deficiency have very low levels. |
| Reference | Hirschorn R. Pediatr Res 1993; 33: 35-41. Perez-Rodriguez E and Jimenez Castro D. Curr Opin Pulm Med 2000; 6(4): 259-266. |