Genital tuberculosis among infertile women and fertility outcome after antitubercular therapy

Abstract

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.