Pleural-fluid myeloperoxidase in complicated and noncomplicated parapneumonic pleural effusions

Eur Respir J. 2002 Feb;19(2):320-5. doi: 10.1183/09031936.02.00051802.

Abstract

The diagnostic accuracy of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in pleural fluid, for differentiating between complicated and noncomplicated parapneumonic pleural effusions (PPE) evaluated prospectively. Seventy patients aged >18 yrs with PPE (36 complicated and 34 noncomplicated) were studied after admission to a tertiary referral teaching hospital. MPO concentration was measured in plasma and pleural fluid using a double-antibody competitive radioimmunoassay. The concentrations of MPO in complicated and noncomplicated PPE were compared using a Mann-Whitney U-test and multiple logistic regression models were used to predict the odds that an effusion was complicated. MPO pleural-fluid concentrations were significantly higher in complicated than in noncomplicated PPE. After excluding purulent effusions, pleural-fluid MPO was the marker that best differentiated between the two types of PPE: the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.912, the sensitivity was 87.5% and the specificity was 85.1% at a cut-point limit of 3.000 microg x L(-1). The authors concluded that the concentration of pleural-fluid myeloperoxidase helps to differentiate between nonpurulent complicated and noncomplicated parapneumonic pleural effusions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Peroxidase / analysis*
  • Pleural Effusion / enzymology*
  • Pleural Effusion / etiology
  • Pleural Effusion / pathology
  • Pneumonia / complications*
  • Pneumonia / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Bacterial / enzymology
  • Prospective Studies
  • ROC Curve
  • Radioimmunoassay
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Peroxidase