Evaluation of Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Utility of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test for diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis was evaluated in 50 clinically diagnosed cases. All samples were also processed for microscopy by Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and culture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium (LJ). PCR was positive in all microscopy and culture positive specimens. There were 11 samples positive by PCR but failed to grow in culture. With respect to culture the sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) and Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of PCR was 100%, 57%, 68% and 100% respectively. The values for PCR on final evaluation taking into consideration clinical, radiological, microbiological evidence and response to antitubercular treatment were SN- 100%, SP-88%, PPV-94% & NPV-100% respectively. PCR detects M. tuberculosis complex with greater sensitivity and should be useful for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Bacteriological and mycological study of corneal ulcers in and around Aurangabad.

In the present study an attempt was made to find out bacteria and fungi causing corneal ulcers. Sixty cases of corneal ulcer were studied. Corneal scrapings from patient of corneal ulcer were collected and processed for isolation of bacterial and fungal agents. The commonest age group affected was 21-30 yrs. Incidence of corneal ulcer was more in males 39 (65%) as compared to females 21 (35%). Trauma was the commonest predisposing factor. Out of sixty cases of corneal ulcer positive cultures were obtained in 23 (38.33%). Bacteria were isolated in 10 (16.66%) fungi in 12 (20%) and mixed culture in 1 (1.66%) of the patients. Among the bacterial isolates commonest was Staphylococcus aureus 6 (10%). Among fungal isolates Fusarium species was the commonest isolate 4 (6.66).