Pleural fluid biomarkers: beyond the Light criteria.

Pleural Diseases Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Arnau de Vilanova University Hospital, Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida, Avda Alcalde Rovira Roure 80, Lleida 25198, Spain. jporcelp@yahoo.es

Clinics in chest medicine 2013 Mar

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Although distinguishing transudates from exudates through the Light criteria is still considered a pragmatic first step in the diagnostic work-up of pleural effusions, the measurement of various pleural fluid biomarkers may aid in the identification of common and specific entities, such as heart failure (natriuretic peptides), tuberculosis (adenosine deaminase), malignancy (mesothelin, fibulin-3, immunocytochemical stains), or bacterial pleural infections (C-reactive protein). The use of these biomarkers is currently encouraged as a routine diagnostic procedure. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.