Genital tuberculosis associated with female infertility in the western Cape.
Infertility is a common presenting symptom in women with genital tuberculosis. A study was undertaken to determine the prevalence and characteristics of this disease among the infertile patients (A and B income group) attending the Reproductive Biology Unit at Tygerberg Hospital. Between June 1986 and December 1987, the menstrual fluid from 451 infertile women was cultured for Mycobacterium tuberculosis using Löwenstein-Jensen medium. A prevalence of 7.98% (36/451) was found. Laparoscopic examination of the pelvis revealed bilateral tubal occlusion in 3 patients (8.3%); peritubular adhesions were present in 17 patients (47.2%). In the remaining 16 patients (44.5%), the pelvis was considered normal. No culture-positive patient gave a history of previous infection or contact with tuberculosis. Radiography of the chest and histological examination of the endometrium showed no evidence of infection. Of the 34 patients treated, 13 (38.2%) became pregnant after antituberculosis treatment was completed. If tuberculosis occurs in a population, menstrual fluid of infertile women should be cultured routinely for M. tuberculosis, especially if there is evidence of tubal damage.
de Vynck
W E
WE
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tygerberg Hospital, Parowvallei, CP.
Kruger
T F
TF
Joubert
J J
JJ
Scott
F
F
van der Merwe
J P
JP
Hulme
V A
VA
Swart
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000209:etiology*; D008598:Menstruation; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014384:Tuberculosis, Female Genital / Q000150:complications*