Diagnosis of parapneumonic pleural effusion with serum and pleural fluid Activin A

Objective: The aim is to evaluate the diagnostic value of Activin A levels in serum and pleural fluid on Parapneumonic Pleural Effusion (PPE).

Methods: The authors collected serum and pleural fluid from 86 PPE and 37 Non-PPE (NPPE) patients. Including Activin A, levels of biomarkers such as Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH), Procalcitonin (PCT), and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) were measured. All factors were calculated for association with days after admission. The diagnostic potential of biomarkers on PPE was considered by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results: Levels of Activin A in serum and pleural fluid of PPE patients were significantly higher than those of the NPPE patients. Moreover, concentrations of Activin A in pleural fluid showed a more obvious relevant days after admission. ROC curve analysis found that Activin A in pleural fluid had AUCs of 0.899 with 93% sensitivity and 84% specificity for PPE diagnosis.

Conclusion: Activin A in pleural fluid correlated with disease severity could act to diagnose PPE.