Serum adenosine deaminase levels in patients with brucellosis and in healthy subjects

The aim of this study was to determine the serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels in patients with brucellosis and compare them with the results of healthy individuals. Forty-eight subject were enrolled in this study : 34 patients with brucellosis and 14 healthy individuals. Serum ADA activity was assessed by spectrophotometer in patients with brucellosis and statistically compared with that of healthy individuals. A normal range of serum ADA was considered 5-35 IU/I. Serum ADA levels were also compared with Brucella agglutinations titers and serum C reactive protein (CRP). Serum ADA levels were found to be significantly higher in patients with brucellosis than in healthy individuals (43.45 ±24.19 IU/I and 27.5 ± 9.3 IU/I, respectively) (P < 0.01). Serum ADA activity did not show any correlation between the Brucella agglutination titer and CRP level. Serum ADA level showed significant alterations in patients with brucellosis compared to healthy subjects. We concluded that serum ADA level may be used in the follow up of patients with brucellosis together with clinical and other laboratory findings