Validation of diagnostic criteria for genital tubercusosis in cases of infertility

Abstract

Objective: Mycobacterial infections of the genital tract have been implicated in the etiology of female infertility. However it is almost impossible to get a tissue diagnosis due to inaccessibility of the genital organs involved. Hence a need was felt to put forward and validate certain clinical diagnostic criteria for Genital Tuberculosis in cases of infertility. Methods: Certain major and minor clinical criteria were selected and definitive diagnostic criteria to diagnose Genital tuberculosis was proposed. Those diagnosed as Genital Tuberculosis were exhibited six months of ATT. Results: 120 infertile couples were enrolled in the study. Out of 120 couples, 61(50.8%) were diagnosed as Genital Tuberculosis. Out of the 61 patients, 20(32.8%) conceived spontaneously while on ATT. Conclusion: The high conception rate in this study is most probably due to the fact that these are the patients who had early TB endometritis which carries a better prognosis as compared to those who have TB salpingitis who have a poor prognosis in terms of conception rate.

Keywords

• genital tuberculosis
• TB PCR
• laparoscopy
• hysteroscopy
• HSG