Diagnosis of Extra Pulmonary tuberculosis by Real Time PCR and comparison with conventional diagnostic methods

Dr. B.V. Ramana; A. Srikar; P. Prakash; Dr. Abhijit Chaudhury

Volume : VIII, Issue : X, October - 2019

Diagnosis of Extra Pulmonary tuberculosis by Real Time PCR and comparison with conventional diagnostic methods

Dr. B. V. Ramana, A. Srikar, P. Prakash, Dr. Abhijit Chaudhury

Abstract :

Introduction : Tuberculosis is a major global public health problem. Among that Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB) accounts for approximately 15–20% of the tuberculosis cases. Tuberculosis can involve any organ system in the body though pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common presentation. Extra pulmonary Tuberculosis is also an important clinical problem. Materials and methods: Various body fluids submitted for confirmation of diagnosis of TB were prospectively studied. These include CSF, pericardial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, peritoneal dialysis fluid, synovial fluid, Urine and Pus. Results: A total number of 200 samples were received during study period and they were also tested for ZN staining and culture on LJ Medium for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Of these, 29 were positive for tuberculosis. RT PCR detected maximum number of positives (23), followed by culture (16) and the smear (2). PCR and culture positives were 10 and smear and culture positives were 2 and all positives were 1(pus). Conclusion : PCR assay is highly sensitive and specific tool available to date for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in all types of specimens obtained from patients with a clinical suspicion of extra–pulmonary and can be reliably used for rapid identification of tuberculosis.