Comparison of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Microbiological and Histopathological Observations in the Diagnosis of Endometrial Tuberculosis

Background Female genital tuberculosis often faces diagnostic challenges due to the asymptomatic nature of the disease. Our study aims at comparing the microbiological and histopathological results with PCR in diagnosing genital tuberculosis in endometrial curettage specimens. Methods Around 139 patients with diverse gynaecological complaints were recruited for the study, and endometrial curettage specimens were collected. The specimens were subjected to microbiological culture and staining, histopathological examination and PCR to look for the presence ofM. tuberculosis.Statistical analyses of the PCR results include calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative prediction values and positive and negative likelihood ratios. Results PCR yielded a detection rate of 41.7% (58/139) when compared to the microbiology (2.15%) and histopathology results (1.43%). PCR withhsp65andcfp10, in combination, detected 20% of the cases. Statistical analyses were suggestive that PCR withhsp65showed a higher sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 92.59% respectively. Conclusion The results obtained in this study suggest that for a definitive diagnosis, combinations of the results from various diagnostics techniques can only be considered.