胸膜活检标本行基因扩增对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值

目的 评价胸膜活检组织行聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值。方法 ＰＣＲ检测６５例胸膜活检组织中结核分枝杆菌ＤＮＡ,并与胸水检测及胸膜活检组织病检对比。结果 胸膜活检组织ＰＣＲ阳性率８３．１％,胸水ＰＣＲ阳性率为６３．１％,胸膜活检组织病检阳性率为６０．６％。前者较后两者更敏感。结论 胸膜活性组织ＰＣＲ检测对结核性胸膜炎有较高的诊断价值。     

超声引导下胸膜活检、干扰素联合检测诊断结核性胸膜炎

目的探讨超声引导下胸膜活检及胸水干扰素检测对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值。方法对42例结核性胸腔积液患者行超声引导下胸膜活检,取壁层胸膜组织送病理检查,同时测定胸水中的干扰素。结果胸膜病理结果为干酪样坏死或肉芽肿病变34例,胸水IFN-r〉240pg/ml31例,胸膜病理结合胸水IFN-r诊断结核性胸膜炎40例,较分别单独检查阳性率明显升高（P〈0.01）。结论超声引导下胸膜活检结合胸水IFN-r的测定是结核性胸膜炎重要的内科确诊手段。     

超声引导下胸膜活检、结核分枝杆菌-PCR及干扰素联合检测诊断结核性胸膜炎

目的探讨超声引导下胸膜活检、胸水结核分枝杆菌-PCR（TB-PCR）及干扰素（r-IFN）检测对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值。方法对57例结核性胸腔积液患者行超声引导下胸膜活检,取壁层胸膜组织送病理检查,同时测定胸水中的TB-PCR、r-IFN。结果胸膜病理结果为干酪样坏死或肉芽肿病变46例,胸水TB-PCR阳性20例,r-IFN〉240pg/ml37例,胸膜病理结合胸水TB-PCR、r-IFN诊断结核性胸膜炎52例,较分别单独检查阳性率明显升高（P〈0.01）。结论超声引导下胸膜活检结合胸水TB-PCR、r-IFN的测定是结核性胸膜炎重要的内科确诊手段。     

超声引导下胸膜活检、结核分枝杆菌-PCR及白介素-6联合检测诊断结核性胸膜炎

目的探讨超声引导下胸膜活检、胸水结核分枝杆菌-PCR（TB-PCR）及白介素-6（IL-6）检测对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值。方法对50例结核性胸腔积液患者行超声引导下胸膜活检,取壁层胸膜组织送病理检查,同时测定胸水中的TB-PCR、IL-6。结果胸膜病理结果为干酪样坏死或肉芽肿病变42例,胸水TB-PCR阳性23例,IL-6〉135pg/m l 35例,胸膜病理结合胸水TB-PCR、IL-6诊断结核性胸膜炎45例,较分别单独检查阳性率明显升高（P〈0.01）。结论超声引导下胸膜活检结合胸水TB-PCR、IL-6的测定是结核性胸膜炎重要的内科确诊手段。     

多种抗结核分支杆菌抗体和胸膜活检对结核性胸膜炎诊断价值

目的　探讨多种抗结核分支杆菌抗体和胸膜活检术对结核性胸膜炎诊断价值。方法 对121例结核性胸膜炎(合并肺结核60例),44例癌性胸液患者进行血清、胸液四项抗结核抗体测定(抗PPD-IgG、LAM-IgG卡、TB-Dot卡、ICT-TB卡),对72例结核性胸膜炎病人进行胸膜活检病理检查。结果 血清四项抗体检测结核组阳性率分别为75.6%、30.7%、44.7%、35.1%;癌性组为43.2%、17.1%、11.4%、2.6%。胸液四项抗体检测结核组阳性率分别为81.7%、24.0%、27.1%、22.7%;癌性组为51.2%、14.7%、5.9%、2.8%。血清和胸液结核组均比癌性组高,合并肺结核高于单纯性胸膜炎组。敏感性以抗PPD-IgG为最高,但特异性差(血清56.8%,胸液48.8%),与癌性胸水存在明显交叉;LAM-IgG卡、TB-Dot卡、ICT-TB卡,特异性血清分别为82.9%、88.6%、97.4%,胸液为85.3%、94.1%、97.2%,比抗PPD-IgG高,但敏感性较低。胸液抗体检测阳性率除抗PPD-IgG外略低于血清。以抗PPD-IgG加TB-Dot卡(A组)或抗PPD-IgG与ICT-TB卡(B组)两项阳性组合,且两项均阳性时,特异性,血清可达94.3%～100%,胸液可达91.4%～97.2%。阳性率,血清为43.0%～42.98%,胸液为23.7%～17.2%,可提供临床鉴别诊断参考。胸膜活检72例,阳性34例（47.2%),活检阳性与病程密切相关,发病2个月内活检阳性率最高75.5%(25/34)。结论 胸膜活检病理学诊断在结核性胸膜炎诊断上有重要价值,多项抗体联合测定对结核性胸膜炎诊断有一定参考意义。     

胸水三种标志物检测联合胸膜活检对结核性与癌性胸水的诊断价值

目的探讨胸水三种标志物检测联合胸膜活检在结核性与癌性胸水中的诊断价值。方法对确诊的胸腔积液（简称胸水）患者共122例进行回顾性分析,其中54例为结核性胸水（结核组）,68例为癌性胸水（癌性组）,在行胸膜活检的同时。抽取胸水测定癌胚抗原（CEA）、乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）及葡萄糖（GLU）的浓度,对结果进行分析。结果癌性组CEA、GLU明显高于结核组,LDH变化不明显;CEA、GLU与胸膜活检相比诊断阳性率分别为79．41％、75．0％和51．47％,差异有显著性;对标志物检测阳性但胸膜活检阴性者,反复多部位胸膜活检使胸膜活检诊断阳性率达72．06％。结论联合检测CEA、LDH、GLU对癌性胸水与结核性胸水有较高的临床鉴别诊断价值,胸膜活检具有确诊价值。三种标志物检测联合胸膜活检可提高胸膜活检诊断阳性率,为临床早期诊断提供依据。     

胸液溶菌酶和γ-干扰素的检测对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值

胸腔积液可由感染、结缔组织病、变态反应性疾病及恶性肿瘤等多种原因引起,结核性胸膜炎和胸部肿瘤引起的胸腔积液最为常见。结核性胸膜炎最可靠的诊断依据是胸液结核分枝杆菌的检测和胸膜活检病理检查,阳性率分别为：胸液涂片5.8%,胸液培养30%左右,胸膜活检69.9%～82%^[1]。尽管采用了多种诊断方法,但仍有20%的胸腔积液存在病因诊断问题^[2]。近年随着分子生物学和细胞生物学的发展,许多文献报道溶菌酶和干扰素水平在结核性及恶性胸腔积液鉴别诊断中的意义。本文对结核性及恶性胸腔积液胸液溶菌酶和γ-干扰素水平进行检测,探讨其临床诊断价值。     

闭式胸膜刷检术对恶性胸腔积液的诊断价值

目的评价闭式胸膜刷检术对恶性胸腔积液的诊断价值。方法临床疑诊的48例恶性胸腔积液行胸膜刷检、胸膜活检和胸水细胞学检查,比较各种方法和组合对肿瘤细胞的阳性率。结果43例确诊为恶性胸腔积液,胸膜刷检阳性率为62.8%,胸水细胞学检查阳性率为55.8%,胸膜活检阳性率为37.2%,以胸膜刷检最高,明显高于胸膜活检(P<0.05),但与胸水细胞学检查比较无显著性差异(P>0.05)。联合胸膜活检和胸膜刷检,阳性率提高为76.7%,3种方法联合应用阳性率为83.7%。结论胸膜刷检是一种简单、安全、有效的检查手段,对诊断恶性胸腔积液有较大的应用价值。     

自动切割针胸膜活检联合CA125、ADA检测在结核性胸膜炎中的应用

目的探讨超声引导下弹簧式自动切割针胸膜活检联合CA125、ADA检测在结核性胸膜炎中的应用价值。方法收集确诊结核性胸膜炎患者110例,非结核性胸腔积液患者56例,分析比较患者CA125、ADA及胸膜活检的结果。结果单独胸膜活检阳性率为80.91%,三种方法联合诊断阳性率为92.73%,两者有统计学差异(P0.05)。结论超声引导下弹簧式自动切割针胸膜活检联合CA125、ADA检测可提高结核性胸膜炎诊断率,在临床上有应用价值。     

由胸腔镜检查探讨经皮穿刺胸膜盲检对结核性胸膜炎及恶性胸腔积液确诊率差异的原因

目的研究经皮穿刺胸膜盲检对结核性胸膜炎及恶性胸水确诊率差异的原因。方法回顾性分析结核性胸膜炎20例、恶性胸水12例胸腔镜检查结果,观察两组患者镜下形态学差异,分析胸膜结节或白斑样病变间黏膜组织的活检病理结果;结果肿瘤与结核均以弥漫性分布、结节状病变为主。在病变之间的胸膜组织也均呈现出充血、水肿、增厚、粗糙、纤维粘连等异常的形态特点。对病变间黏膜组织进行活检的结果提示:结核性胸膜炎组(95%)病理符合率显著高于恶性胸水组(16.7%)(P0.01)。结论结核特征性病变分布更广泛,是导致经皮穿刺胸膜盲检对结核、恶性胸水确诊率差异的主要原因。     

Polymerase chain reaction of pleural biopsy is a rapid and sensitive method for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous pleural effusion occurs in 30% of patients with tuberculosis (TB). Rapid diagnosis of a tuberculous pleural effusion would greatly facilitate the management of many patients. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis in pleural fluid with highly variable sensitivity. OBJECTIVE: To improve our laboratory diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion. METHODS: We applied PCR to detect DNA specific for M tuberculosis in 33 of the studied pleural biopsy specimens using an IS986-based primer that was specific for mycobacterium complex, and compared it to the results of pleural fluid and biopsy cultures performed on either Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ) medium or BACTEC 12B liquid medium (Becton Dickinson Microbiology Systems; Cockeysville, MD), Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining, and histopathology in 45 patients with pleural effusion. RESULTS: Of the 45 patients with pleural effusion who were studied, 26 patients received diagnoses of tuberculous pleural effusion that had been confirmed by either culture and or histopathology, 10 patients received diagnoses of exudative effusion due to causes other than TB, and 9 patients received diagnoses of transudative effusion. Histopathology of the pleural biopsy specimen had a sensitivity of 53.8%. The sensitivity of the ZN staining of pleural fluid and biopsy specimens was 0.0% and 3.8%, respectively. The sensitivity of the culture on both BACTEC 12B liquid medium and LJ medium was higher in pleural biopsy specimens (92.3%) than in pleural fluid specimens (15.4%; p > 0.001). The improvements of the BACTEC culture system improved and shortened the detection time of M tuberculosis in pleural biopsy specimens. PCR of pleural biopsy specimens had 90% sensitivity and 100% specificity. The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value for pleural biopsy specimen cultures were 100% and 90.5% vs 100% and 86.7% for pleural biopsy specimen PCRs. CONCLUSION: The overall accuracy of PCR of pleural biopsy was similar to the results of pleural biopsy culture, however, PCR of the pleural biopsy was much faster in reaching diagnosis. PCR of pleural biopsy is a useful method when used in combination with the BACTEC culture system and histopathologic examination of pleural biopsy to reach a rapid diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion.     

超声定位下槽切式胸膜活检在老年结核性胸腔积液中的临床价值

目的　探讨超声定位下槽切式胸膜活检对老年结核性胸腔积液的诊断价值。方法 对58例老年结核性胸腔积液患者胸膜活检的取材成功率、病理诊断阳性率进行总结,分析胸膜活检的诊断价值、影响诊断阳性率的因素,以及胸膜活检的并发症。结果 58例中取材成功率91.5%(75/82),病理结核确诊率70.7%(41/58)。增加活检次数可以提高诊断阳性率;并发症7例(8.5%)。结论 超声定位下槽切式胸膜活检可作为诊断老年结核性胸腔积液安全有效的手段。     

Subpleural mononuclear cell infiltration. Significance in the differential diagnosis of pleuritis showing nonspecific histologic findings

To determine if patients who had lymphocyte-rich pleural effusion and a pleural biopsy without any specific findings could be histopathologically differentiated between those with tuberculous and nontuberculous pleuritis, we histologically re-evaluated the pleural biopsies of all patients whose pleural effusion was predominant with lymphocytes and contained no malignant cells. A total of 40 patients with a nonspecific histologic findings of pleural biopsy specimen were categorized based on their ultimate diagnosis as having tuberculous (n = 15), carcinomatous (n = 10) or nontuberculous, benign pleuritis (n = 15). The pleural biopsy specimen of patients with nontuberculous, benign pleuritis frequently showed a band-like infiltration of mononuclear cells in the subpleural adipose tissue with minimal pleural inflammatory infiltrate (10 out of 15 patients), while the same finding was infrequent in those with tuberculous pleuritis (0 out of 15, p = 0.0001) and pleuritis associated with carcinoma (three out of 10, p = 0.082). Based on these results, the presence of band-like infiltration of mononuclear cells in the subpleural adipose tissue with minimal pleural inflammatory infiltrate in pleural biopsy specimens of patients with lymphocyte-rich pleural effusion suggests that the pleuritis is nontuberculous in its nature.     

The diagnostic value of GeneXpert MTB/RIF of the lapping suspension of the thoracoscopic biopsy tissue in tuberculous pleural effusions

目的 评价内科胸腔镜胸膜活检组织标本研磨悬液行结核分枝杆菌GeneXpert MTB/RIF(简称“Xpert”)检测对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值。方法 选择2017年1月1日至12月31日在沈阳市胸科医院胸膜炎病房住院,行内科胸腔镜检查的不明原因胸腔积液患者51例,均未经过抗结核药物治疗。所有患者胸膜活检组织标本一部分行常规病理检查,另一部分研磨处理后制成悬液,行BACTEC MGIT 960分枝杆菌液体培养(简称“MGIT 960培养”)及Xpert 检测。以MGIT 960培养阳性并菌种鉴定为结核分枝杆菌和胸膜组织活检病理肉芽肿性病变并抗酸染色阳性作为确诊标准,评价活检组织研磨悬液行Xpert检测在结核性胸膜炎诊断中的价值。结果 51例患者中有34例确诊为结核性胸膜炎,其中通过MGIT 960培养阳性并菌种鉴定为结核分枝杆菌而确诊者20例(39.2%,20/51),通过胸膜组织活检病理阳性而确诊者17例(33.3%,17/51),其中3例患者被2种检测方法同时确诊;17例(33.3%)诊断为非结核性胸腔积液。以最终诊断结果为金标准,Xpert法、MGIT 960培养法、病理检查诊断的敏感度和特异度分别为64.7%(22/34)和100.0%(17/17)、58.8%(20/34)和100.0%(17/17)、50.0%(17/34)和100.0%(17/17);Xpert 法检测的敏感度高于MGIT 960培养法和病理诊断,但差异无统计学意义(χ ²=1.53,P=0.466)。结论 内科胸腔镜直视下取胸膜组织活检标本,通过研磨后使其液化,再行结核分枝杆菌Xpert检测,敏感度及特异度均较高,对结核性胸膜炎的确诊具有一定的临床意义。     

经内科胸腔镜胸膜病变活检对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值

目的 评价经内科胸腔镜胸膜病变活检对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值及安全性。方法 2015年6月至2018年10月,首都医科大学附属北京胸科医院、首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院、北京积水潭医院、卫生部北京医院等4家临床中心采用前瞻性多中心诊断试验方法,对参照入组标准顺序纳入的229例不明原因胸腔积液的入院患者行内科胸腔镜检查,并对活检留取胸膜病变组织标本行结核分枝杆菌GeneXpert MTB/RIF(简称“GeneXpert”)和BACTEC MGIT 960培养(简称“MGIT 960”)及常规病原学检测和病理学检查。结果 229例患者经内科胸腔镜取胸膜活检组织行病理学和病原学检查结果显示,临床不能明确诊断者23例(10.0%),确诊者为206例(90.0%),其中129例(56.3%)确诊为结核性胸膜炎,77例(33.6%)诊断为其他原因所致的胸腔积液。胸膜活检组织经GeneXpert或MGIT 960检测结核感染的阳性率[分别为27.9%(64/229)和17.0%(39/229)]与病理学检测阳性率[(23.1%,53/229)]比较,差异无统计学意义(χ²=1.32,P=0.251;χ²=2.67,P=0.103);但GeneXpert+MGIT 960联合检测的阳性率[32.8%(75/229)]明显高于传统病理学检测(χ²=5.25,P=0.022)。结核性胸膜炎患者的胸腔镜镜下特征性表现在纤维粘连带[70.5%(91/129)]、弥漫性粟粒结节状病灶[41.1%(53/129)]、纤维素沉积[40.3%(52/129)]等方面均明显高于其他原因胸腔积液者[分别为32.5%(25/77)、6.5%(5/77)、15.6%(12/77)],但散在多发结节状病灶[26.4%(34/129)]明显低于其他原因胸腔积液者[53.2%(41/77)](χ²=28.41、28.52、24.42、15.06,P值均=0.000)。229例患者胸腔镜术后均未出现严重不良事件,224例(97.8%)有轻中度胸痛,口服止痛药2~3 d后可缓解;134例(58.5%)活检部位有少量出血,107(46.7%)例局部皮下气肿,均未给予特殊处理,拔管后2~3 d内吸收;仅2例患者术后出现脓胸,引流管留置14 d后行胸腔镜胸膜剥离术,随访6个月后均安全拔管。结论 内科胸腔镜镜下表现、胸膜病变活检组织标本病理和病原学检测均有助于结核性胸膜炎的诊断,而且安全性高,建议临床大力推广应用。     

A case report of tuberculous pleuritis diagnosed by thoracoscopy using fiberoptic bronchoscope

A 27-year-old male visited the outpatient clinic of our hospital with the chief complaints of fever, right chest pain and shortness of breath. He was admitted to our hospital for detailed examination of the right hydrothorax. The pleural effusion obtained by thoracocentesis was exudative and negative for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Since the titer of adenosine deaminase in the pleural effusion was abnormally high, antitubercular therapy was started under suspicion of tuberculous pleuritis. Thereafter, the patient's subjective symptoms and blood parameters improved. Necrotic tissues were obtained by pleural biopsy using the Cope needle. In order to make a definitive diagnosis, pleural biopsy was performed thoracoscopically. White tubercular lesions with a smooth surface were sparsely distributed on the pleura. Histopathologically, these lesions were characterized by central areas of caseous necrosis surrounded by epithelial cells and Langhans' giant cells. Therefore, they were considered to be granulomatous lesions. The patient was given a diagnosis of idiopathic tuberculous pleuritis, and was treated with four antitubercular drugs in combination. His clinical signs subsided, and he was discharged. This case indicates that the examination of the inside of the pleural cavity with a flexible bronchoscope, instead of thoracoscope, under local anesthesia is useful to diagnose patients having tuberculous pleuritis.     

The diagnostic value of pleural biopsy by medical thoracoscopy in tuberculous pleural effusions

目的 评价经内科胸腔镜胸膜病变活检对结核性胸膜炎的诊断价值及安全性。方法 2015年6月至2018年10月,首都医科大学附属北京胸科医院、首都医科大学附属北京朝阳医院、北京积水潭医院、卫生部北京医院等4家临床中心采用前瞻性多中心诊断试验方法,对参照入组标准顺序纳入的229例不明原因胸腔积液的入院患者行内科胸腔镜检查,并对活检留取胸膜病变组织标本行结核分枝杆菌GeneXpert MTB/RIF(简称“GeneXpert”)和BACTEC MGIT 960培养(简称“MGIT 960”)及常规病原学检测和病理学检查。结果 229例患者经内科胸腔镜取胸膜活检组织行病理学和病原学检查结果显示,临床不能明确诊断者23例(10.0%),确诊者为206例(90.0%),其中129例(56.3%)确诊为结核性胸膜炎,77例(33.6%)诊断为其他原因所致的胸腔积液。胸膜活检组织经GeneXpert或MGIT 960检测结核感染的阳性率[分别为27.9%(64/229)和17.0%(39/229)]与病理学检测阳性率[(23.1%,53/229)]比较,差异无统计学意义(χ²=1.32,P=0.251;χ²=2.67,P=0.103);但GeneXpert+MGIT 960联合检测的阳性率[32.8%(75/229)]明显高于传统病理学检测(χ²=5.25,P=0.022)。结核性胸膜炎患者的胸腔镜镜下特征性表现在纤维粘连带[70.5%(91/129)]、弥漫性粟粒结节状病灶[41.1%(53/129)]、纤维素沉积[40.3%(52/129)]等方面均明显高于其他原因胸腔积液者[分别为32.5%(25/77)、6.5%(5/77)、15.6%(12/77)],但散在多发结节状病灶[26.4%(34/129)]明显低于其他原因胸腔积液者[53.2%(41/77)](χ²=28.41、28.52、24.42、15.06,P值均=0.000)。229例患者胸腔镜术后均未出现严重不良事件,224例(97.8%)有轻中度胸痛,口服止痛药2~3 d后可缓解;134例(58.5%)活检部位有少量出血,107(46.7%)例局部皮下气肿,均未给予特殊处理,拔管后2~3 d内吸收;仅2例患者术后出现脓胸,引流管留置14 d后行胸腔镜胸膜剥离术,随访6个月后均安全拔管。结论 内科胸腔镜镜下表现、胸膜病变活检组织标本病理和病原学检测均有助于结核性胸膜炎的诊断,而且安全性高,建议临床大力推广应用。     

Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous pleurisy--with special reference to the significance of measurement of pleural fluid cytokines

Tuberculous pleurisy as well as malignant pleuritis is a representative disease presenting pleural effusion. The diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy is made from examination of pleural effusion, but the sensitivity of smear or culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from pleural fluid is generally low. Although the pleural fluid concentration of adenosine deaminase (ADA) is useful in terms of sensitivity or specificity, the value could be high in empyema or rheumatoid pleuritis. Thoracoscopic biopsy of pleura is more sensitive rather than conventional percutaneous needle biopsy, but is more invasive. Tuberculous pleural effusion is caused by delayed allergy which macrophage and T-helper 1 cells mainly relate and the stimuli of bacterial body consecutively induces T-helper 1 cytokines. Pleural fluid interferon-gamma (INF-gamma) is important not only in pathogenesis but also in diagnosis. We demonstrated that INF-gamma is a more sensitive and specific indicator for tuberculous pleurisy than ADA using receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Cytometric bead array (CBA) is a tool to simultaneously measure abundance of various cytokines and is expected to be a very useful method to provide informations for understanding a feedback mechanism of cytokine network. It is needed to clear the immunity in pleural fluid and to establish the less invasive and more useful method to diagnose tuberculous pleurisy.     

The usefulness of pleural biopsy in benign or malignant pleurisy

Retrospective studies of pleural biopsy, cytology and ADA in pleural effusion were performed in 116 patients with pleural effusion between 1980 and 1988. Pleural malignant disease was diagnosed in 25 patients (75.8%) by cytology, in 19 patients (57.6%) by pleural biopsy. Thus, cytology should be performed first in patients with pleurisy. Both of cytologic study and CEA in pleural effusion were negative in 3 cases of squamous cell carcinoma. Tuberculous pleuritis was diagnosed in 24 patients (50.0%) by pleural biopsy, in 5 patients (10.4%) by isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Both pleural biopsy and adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) were examined in 19 cases of tuberculous pleuritis and ADA was elevated in 16 patients (84.2%). These data suggested that pleural biopsy was useful for diagnosis of pleuritis and the combination of cytology, tumor markers and ADA with biopsy improved diagnostic rates of pleuritis.     

Update on tuberculous pleural effusion

The possibility of tuberculous pleuritis should be considered in every patient with an undiagnosed pleural effusion, for if this diagnosis is not made the patient will recover only to have a high likelihood of subsequently developing pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis Between 3% and 25% of patients with tuberculosis will have tuberculous pleuritis. The incidence of pleural tuberculosis is higher in patients who are HIV positive. Tuberculous pleuritis usually presents as an acute illness with fever, cough and pleuritic chest pain. The pleural fluid is an exudate that usually has predominantly lymphocytes. Pleural fluid cultures are positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in less than 40% and smears are virtually always negative. The easiest way to establish the diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis in a patient with a lymphocytic pleural effusion is to generally demonstrate a pleural fluid adenosine deaminase level above 40 U/L. Lymphocytic exudates not due to tuberculosis almost always have adenosine deaminase levels below 40 U/L. Elevated pleural fluid levels of γ‐interferon also are virtually diagnostic of tuberculous pleuritis in patients with lymphocytic exudates. In questionable cases the diagnosis can be established by demonstrating granulomas or organisms on tissue specimens obtained via needle biopsy of the pleura or thoracoscopy. The chemotherapy for tuberculous pleuritis is the same as that for pulmonary tuberculosis.