[DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF TUBERCULOUS PLEURISY].

The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the efficiency of bacteriological, immunological, biochemical, and cytological studies in the diagnosis of exudative pleurisy. Seventy-six patients with exudative pleurisy of unspecified etiology were examined. Its etiopathogenesis was specified after applying the currently available noninvasive and invasive techniques. The findings give grounds to state that determination of exudates ADA levels is the most informative tool in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy. When its diagnosis cannot be established after examining the pleural fluid, video-assisted thoracoscopy with pleural biopsy is indicated.