Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study is to evaluate the clinical utility of Gene Xpert compared with other available diagnostic modalities in prompt diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis (TB) causing infertility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional analytical study. Premenstrual endometrial biopsy specimens were collected from 176 infertile women of reproductive age group suspected of having genital TB. Samples were processed for acid-fast bacilli, culture, histopathology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Gene Xpert. Patients detected positive on Gene Xpert and PCR were subjected to laparoscopy to look for affirmative findings of genital TB. The results were analyzed using composite gold standard consisting of patients positive with culture, histopathology, and laparoscopy. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were found positive using composite gold standard. Laparoscopy was positive in 15 patients, whereas culture and histopathology were positive in three and two patients, respectively. Gene Xpert was positive in two patients. None of them was detected with rifampicin resistance. The sensitivity of Gene Xpert was 11.11% whereas the specificity was 100%. CONCLUSION: Since genital TB is a paucibacillary disease, multiple diagnostic modalities are needed for diagnosis. Gene Xpert appears to be a useful modality in diagnosis of genital TB, owing to its high specificity, and can be recommended in conditions where microscopy, culture, and histopathology are negative; however, further randomized studies are required to support our hypothesis.