Genital tuberculosis among infertile women and fertility outcome after antitubercular therapy

Objective

To compare modalities for diagnosing genital tuberculosis (GTB) and to assess fertility outcome after antitubercular therapy (ATT).

Methods

Infertile women underwent endometrial aspiration (EA) and peritoneal washing (PW) for histopathologic examination, PCR, and acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear and culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis; laparoscopy and hysteroscopy were also performed. Women with a positive laboratory test and/or laparoscopic finding classified as definitive/probable received ATT for 6 months.

Results

Of 196 women recruited, 187 underwent laparoscopy. Genital tuberculosis was diagnosed in 118 (60.2%). In 41.3%, EA PCR was positive; PW PCR was positive in 7.6%. The remaining laboratory tests were positive in a small number. Laparoscopy indicated definitive GTB in 9.1% and probable GTB in 37.4%. Among the 118 women treated for GTB, 22.9% conceived without in vitro fertilization; of these women, 74.1% had a positive EA PCR and 59.3% had a positive laparoscopy finding. A quarter of the women received ATT solely on the basis of the PCR result and 31.0% of these women conceived.

Conclusion

No single test can detect all instances of GTB. A combination of tests is needed to increase the detection rate. Treatment given solely on the basis of a positive PCR result can result in conception.