The role of polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis of tuberculosis of the urinary and male sexual organs

Abstract

Detection of M. tuberculosis DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and standard technique was compared in 76 new cases of urogenital tuberculosis. In the urinary test PCR confirmed tuberculous etiology of the disease and corresponded to M.tuberculosis detection in 27 (60%) of 45 patients with urinary tuberculosis. M. tuberculosis DNA detection rose significantly in patients with mycobacteriuria (71%) and in examination of aspirates from isolated renal cavern, blocked kidney, epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles. Treatment for 1 month and longer transforms the positive result into the negative one. Of 16 patients with tuberculosis of male sexual organs M. tuberculosis DNA were detected by PCR in prostatic secretion in 43.7%, in ejaculate in 93%. This did not correlate with detection of M. tuberculosis. Thus, PCR is recommended for instant diagnosis and screening before further examination and cannot be the only method in identification of urogenital tuberculosis.