Tumour necrosis factor alpha in the diagnostic assessment of pleural effusion

摘要

We investigated the role of tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF) in the evaluation of pleural effusion aetiology. Using a commercially-available ELISA kit, concentrations of TNF were measured in the serum and pleural fluid of patients with malignant effusions (n = 19), uncomplicated parapneumonic effusions (n = 13), and exudative (n = 13) and tran- sudative (n = 13) effusions due to congestive heart failure (CHFex and CHFtr, respectively).