Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using hupB gene in diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis in fine needle aspirates.
BACKGROUND
Although pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is the most common manifestation of tuberculosis, extra pulmonary tuberculosis(EPTB) has equal significance. Among the extra pulmonary manifestations, tubercular lymphadenitis (TBL) is the most common form.


OBJECTIVE
To perform PCR on fine needle aspirates of lymphnode by using hupB gene as target. To compare the sensitivity and specificity of PCR with culture, cytology, serology and clinical response to therapy.


METHODS
After processing the samples by Universal Sample Processing(USP) method,two step nested PCR was performed using two sets of primers (N1S1 & CTFR) of hupB gene. All patients were put on ATT and were followed up for two months. The response to therapy was considered as the gold standard in our study.


RESULTS
The PCR assay for hupB gene was positive in 85 patients. Of these, 82% patients showed infection with M. tuberculosis, 1% was positive for M. bovis and 2% showed coinfection with both M. tuberculosis and M. bovis. The PCR assay of hupB gene in our study showed a sensitivity of 87.4% and specificity of 66.7%.


CONCLUSIONS
PCR assay for hup B gene is a rapid means of diagnosis of tubercular lymphadenitis.
Department of Biochemistry, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, New Delhi.
Pooja
P
Verma
Anju
A
Jain
Surajeet Kumar
SK
Patra
Shipra
S
Gandhi
B L
BL
Sherwal
Monisha
M
Chaudhary
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D005260:Female; D006657:Histones / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014388:Tuberculosis, Lymph Node / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D006657:Histones; C510666:HupB protein, Mycobacterium tuberculosis