Extra pulmonary tuberculosis: an experience at Mayo hospital Lahore

ABSTRACT

To study the site and culture positivity of extra pulmonary specimens received from year 2000 to 2005. The work was done at the PMRC TB Research center, Mayo hospital Lahore. The centre receives specimens from all the leading hospitals of Lahore. A total of 2476 extra pulmonary specimens subjected for TB culture by standard proportion method and were analyzed. Majority [84.37%] of specimens received were rom pulmonary site while 15.6% were from extra pulmonary site. Overall culture positivity yield was 19.5%. Of the samples received majority [24.3%] were pleural fluid, followed by in descending order of frequency were 16% bronchial washing, 15.5% from genitourinary tract, 14.1% lymph nodes, 2.6% gastric aspirate, 2.5% endometrial,1.5% bone and 1.2% [CSF]. The culture positivity of these specimens were 24.3% for pleural, 16% bronchial, 24.87% genitourinary, 34.18% lymph nodes, 6% gastric aspirate, 4.5% endometrial,13.5% bone and 3.2% CSF. Extra pulmonary tuberculosis remains an important infectious disease, with commonest form being tuberculous lymphadenitis and genital tuberculosis. Physicians and health care providers should keep the diagnosis of tuberculosis high on priority and make efforts in prompt and efficient diagnosis and treatment