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Utility of polymerase chain reaction as a diagnostic tool in cutaneous tuberculosis
L Padmavathy1, L Rao, A Veliath
1Division of Dermatology and STD, RMMC & H, RMMC, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar-608 002, Tamil Nadu.
Background:
Differentiation of cutaneous tuberculosis from other infective granulomas of the skin is difficult due to paucity of the organisms in tissue biopsies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is a newer technique to identify the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the tissues.
Aim:
We examined the utility of PCR as a tool for rapid diagnosis of cutaneous tuberculosis especially in cases negative by ZN staining and culture.
Material And Methods:
Twenty five random skin biopsies from patients with various types of cutaneous tuberculosis were subjected to PCR.
Results:
An overall positivity of 64% was observed, which is comparable to other series. Seventy five percent of lupus vulgaris cases, 62.2% of tuberculosis verrucosa cutis and 50% of scrofuloderma cases showed PCR positivity.
Conclusion:
Though useful, the cost and the technique involved limit the use of PCR in developing countries like ours.
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