Correlation between levels of tumour necrosis factor-α and levels of pH, glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase in parapneumonic effusions

Conclusions. This study demonstrates, for the first time that TNF levels correlate inversely with levels of pH in pleural fluid of patients with CPPE but not of patients with UCPPE. This correlation may, in part, explain the pathophysiology of the pleural complications which occur in the presence of CPPE.