POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (PCR) FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF CERVICAL TUBERCULOUS LYMPHADENITIS
ABSTRACT: Tuberculous
lymphadenitis is a common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis with multiple
differential diagnoses. The diagnosis of tuberculosis requires the presence
of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by
acid-fast staining or bacterial growth
in culture. However, these are often
difficult in cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis. The objective of this
prospective study was to investigate the value of the polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) technique for detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the aspirate
from fine needle biopsy (FNB) of suspected cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis.
The primer to amplify Mycobacterium tuberculosis-complex-specific 123-bp DNA
was used. Among 22 cases of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis diagnosed in
clinical situation, Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was found by PCR in 21 cases
(95.40%). This study concludes that PCR is a useful technique for the
demonstration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA fragments in patients with
clinically suspected cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis, and its clinical application
with FNB could reduce the necessity for open biopsy.
Author: Sunarto Reksoprawiro,
Tjahjo Winantyo, Indrayana NS
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg050047
