Polymerase chain reaction amplification versus [presenting symptoms, radiographic changes and standard microbiological methods] for diagnosis of pulmonary and pleural tuberculosis

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 100 patients [64 males and 36 females] suspected to have pulmonary TB from the presenting symptoms and X-ray picture and 20 patients [12 males and eight females] with pleural effusion suspected to be of tuberculous origin. Patients suspected to have pulmonary TB were classified into three groups according to the presenting symptoms as those with typical, compatible and atypical symptoms, the same patients were classified according to chest X-ray appearance as those with typical, compatible and atypical X-ray appearance. The results showed that the presenting symptoms are more predictive in the diagnosis of pulmonary TB than X-ray appearance. Also, the rate of positivity in the different diagnostic methods used increased according to presenting symptoms or X-ray appearance. Finally, polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay on the sputum or pleural effusion fluid is more valuable than either PCR assay on the blood or microscopic or culture examination for the diagnosis of pulmonary or pleural tuberculosis as its sensitivity was 93.67%, 97.4% and 100% for the blood, sputum and pleural fluid, respectively