Diagnosis of culture-negative female genital tract tuberculosis with peritoneal involvement by polymerase chain reaction.
BACKGROUND
Female genital tract tuberculosis (TB) is a common cause of infertility in developing countries. It is a paucibacillary form of the disease of which smears and cultures are usually negative.


METHODS
We were able to use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA to support a clinical and histologic diagnosis of a typical case of culture negative female genital tract TB.


CONCLUSIONS
PCR may be a useful adjunct to diagnostic efforts in gynecologic tuberculosis.
Baum
S E
SE
Infectious Disease and Gynecological Oncology Services, Brooke Army Medical Center, 3851 Roger Brooke Drive, Building 3600, Ft. Sam Houston, TX 78234, USA. sue.baum@cen.amedd.army.mil
Dooley
D P
DP
Wright
J
J
Kost
E R
ER
Storey
D F
DF
D000328:Adult; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000382:microbiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014384:Tuberculosis, Female Genital / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial