[2'Deoxyadenosine/adenosine deaminase ratio in pleural and peritoneal effusions. Diagnostic significance].

It has been observed that adenosine deaminase activity in human beings differ between serum and tissues reference to optimal pH, Km and relative substrate specificity. Based upon the ratio between the activity of deaminase on 2'deoxyadenosine and adenosine, we may distinguish between a "serum type" enzyme and a "tissue type" enzyme. In sample of pleural and peritoneal fluid extracted from 92 patients with variable pathology, we have found the existence of a "tissue type" enzyme in three patients having empyemic pleural effusions and ten with malignant systemic pathology.