**Core Concept**
Tuberculous pleural effusion is a type of exudative pleural effusion caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. The pleural fluid in tuberculous pleural effusion typically shows a high protein content, low glucose levels, and a lymphocytic predominance, which are indicative of an inflammatory response.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer is characterized by a high protein content (>3g/dL) in the pleural fluid, which is due to the increased permeability of the pleural capillaries in response to the inflammatory cytokines released by the infected cells. Additionally, the pleural fluid in tuberculous pleural effusion typically shows low glucose levels (50% lymphocytes), indicating an active immune response to the infection.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because the pleural fluid in tuberculous pleural effusion is typically not bloody, unlike empyema or malignant pleural effusions which may show a high red blood cell count.

**Option B:** This option is incorrect because the pleural fluid in tuberculous pleural effusion is typically not sterile, unlike a transudative pleural effusion which may be sterile.

**Option C:** This option is incorrect because the pleural fluid in tuberculous pleural effusion is typically not high in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), unlike a malignant pleural effusion which may show a high LDH level.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key feature of tuberculous pleural effusion is the presence of caseating granulomas in the pleural tissue, which are a hallmark of tuberculosis infection. This can be confirmed on histopathological examination of the pleural tissue.

**Correct Answer: D.**