Tuberculosis of the female reproductive tract: effect on function

Abstract

Objective: To discuss the clinical presentation and consequences of genital tuberculosis (GTB), a known cause of infertility. Although it appears to be a rare entity, usually secondary to a primary site of infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, its true incidence is not known owing, in part, to inadequate diagnostic procedures, particularly in less developed areas of the world.

Patients and methods: We present our experience with 25 cases of genital TB. Of these woman, 21 were seen for infertility; 3 were postmenopausal with uterine hemorrhage, and 1 was admitted with an acute abdomen. All women were treated medically and/or surgically.

Results: Only five women were found to be suitable for artificial insemination. Two of the women became pregnant but aborted.

Conclusions: The incidence of genital TB may be higher than one might imagine, based on the lack of reports in the literature, and may account for a significant amount of female infertility.

PIP: During 1988-93, in Mexico City, the National Institute of Perinatology diagnosed 25 cases of female genital tuberculosis. Their age ranged from 21 to 42 years. The diagnostic procedures used to detect these cases included laparoscopy, PPD skin test reaction, hysterosalpingography (HSG), culture of tissue and fluid samples, and histopathological examination of tissue biopsies. 16% had a history of tuberculosis. 39.1% had a history of contact with a relative with tuberculosis. Three women were postmenopausal and suffered from uterine bleeding; they underwent a hysterectomy. 17 of 21 women who went on to infertility studies had suffered infertility for 2-14 years. HSG revealed abnormalities in 95.2%, especially bilateral tubal occlusion (57.1%) and deformity of the uterine cavity (54.5%). Mycobacterium tuberculosis was isolated in 4 women, all of whom had fluid in the pelvic cavity. 14 of the 16 patients who underwent the PPD skin test had an induration larger than 10 mm in diameter. 68% of the 19 patients who underwent endometrial biopsy had granulomas consistent with tuberculosis. All the women received antibiotics to treat female genital tuberculosis. Five of the 17 patients referred for infertility evaluation underwent in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Two of these women became pregnant but later suffered a spontaneous abortion. The other 3 women never conceived. These findings indicate that the incidence of female genital tuberculosis may be higher than expected and may be responsible for a substantial amount of female infertility. Pregnancy occurs when female genital tuberculosis is detected at an early stage and when no irreversible anatomical pathology is evident. Thus, it is important to determine the existence of tuberculosis early in cases of infertility and to begin therapy immediately.