Diagnosis of tuberculosis lymphadenitis using a polymerase chain reaction on peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Document Type
Article
Department
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Abstract
Providing prompt and precise laboratory confirmation of a clinical diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis is difficult given the paucibacillary nature of lymph node specimens. In this study carried out in Karachi, Pakistan, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay aimed at detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC-PCR) was standardized and compared with standard M. tuberculosis diagnostic techniques or a lymph node PCR (LN-PCR) for the diagnosis of tuberculosis lymphadenitis. Thirty-seven (77%) specimens from 48 patients with clinical or diagnosis of tuberculosis lymphadenitis were positive by cytology [17/48 (35%) with no acid fast bacilli (AFB) (suggestive), and 20/48 (42%) with AFB (positive) in direct smears], 30 (63%) by PBMC-PCR, 16 (33%) by LN-PCR, and 13 (27%) by culture. All controls were negative, with the exception of one false-positive LN-PCR. These data suggest the PBMC-PCR may be helpful in the diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Publication (Name of Journal)
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Recommended Citation
Mirza, S.,
Restrepo, B. I.,
McCormick, J. B.,
Fisher-Hoch, S. P.
(2003). Diagnosis of tuberculosis lymphadenitis using a polymerase chain reaction on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 69(5), 461-465.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_pathol_microbiol/1064