Title: Diagnostic Utility of PCR in Sputum of Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Dr Ankit Mehrotra, Dr Shiv Sagar Gupta, Dr Avinash Kumar, Dr Santosh Kumar, Dr Rishabh Goyal, Dr Sanjeev Anand
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i2.24
Abstract
Aims and Objectives: To find out the diagnostic utility of PCR in sputum of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.
Material and Methods: We have studied 105 cases and investigated for AFB in their sputum by microscopy after ZN staining and PCR in our department of TB and Respiratory Diseases, Era’s lucknow Medical College, Lucknow.
Observation: It was observed that out of 65 clinically suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis, 40 were smear (+)ve and 54 were (+)ve by PCR. Sensitivity and specificity of sputum microscopy was 61.5% and 100% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of PCR was 83% and 100% respectively.
Conclusion: our study suggests that the diagnosis of pulmonary TB at molecular level (PCR) for detecting mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a rapid and more effective method than microscopic examination.
