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PCR for M. tuberculosis in tissue samples
Kiran Chawla1, Soham Gupta, Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay
1Department of Microbiology and Pathology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Karnataka, India. arunkiranchawla@yahoo.com
Background:
The presence of granuloma, visualized in histopathology for diagnosing tuberculosis in tissue samples, is not a specific finding. Moreover, histopathological examination of tissue sections needs one to two weeks for final reporting. A rapid and sensitive method is therefore needed for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in these paucibacillary tissue samples.
Methodology:
A PCR-assay specific for IS6110 was evaluated for 104 different tissue samples in comparison to histopathology that was considered gold standard.
Results:
PCR showed 74.1% sensitivity and 96.1% specificity. False positive and false negative results were observed in three (2.88%) and seven (6.73%) samples, respectively. Positive agreement between histopathology and PCR was observed as 0.737, indicating substantial good agreement between two tests.
Conclusions:
PCR can be used for early diagnosis of tuberculosis in tissue samples that can help to initiate timely anti-tubercular treatment and prevent progression to irreversible changes.
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