Abdominopelvic tuberculosis in gynaecology: Laparoscopical and new laboratory findings

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) is a rare curable infective disease, caused mainly by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which in abdominopelvic (AP) localisation, can mimic a disseminated carcinomatosis. Symptoms of AP-TB are non-specific, so diagnosis is difficult and elusive as the affected patients have normal chest X-ray and elevated levels of CA125. Female ultrasonographic features of AP-TB mimic peritoneal carcinomatosis, and the computed tomography has also been suggested to be helpful, but the final diagnosis was reached by histology and serology. Aim of the study: To propose the validity of the combination of laparoscopy (LPS), histopathology and enzyme-linked immuno-spot (ELIspot) in the diagnosis of AP-TB. Methods: In the last two years, we had six women with suspect of AP-TB, who, after the routine exams, were referred for a diagnostic LPS that revealed turbid-free fluid in pelvis or ascites (collected for serology), multiple peritoneal and/or bowel tubercles (randomly sampled), fibrous bands, adhesions, hyperaemic and oedematous bowel loops. Results: LPS diagnosis was confirmed by intra-LPS biopsy of nodules and histological examination of specimens: epithelioid granulomas with central caseous necrosis in five patients (83.3%) and a non-caseating granulomatous inflammation in the last one. An outer layer of epithelioid histiocytes and Langhans cells was present in all patients. Using the ELIspot technique performed on free fluids, the final diagnosis of TB was made in all patients. Conclusions: Even if gynaecological LPS appearance of the peritoneum can mimic other conditions, ELIspot and histopathological exam can confirm the suspect of AP-TB.

Diagnosis of abdominal tuberculosis by T-cell-based assays on peripheral blood and peritoneal fluid mononuclear cells

“…In one case study, higher levels of T-cell responses were observed using PF-MC rather than PBMC in a patient with TB peritonitis, 7 whereas the PF of all of six patients with TB peritonitis yielded positive ELISPOT results. 24 In the latter report, however, it is unclear which antigens were used in the ELISPOT assay and how many patients PBMCs were positive. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to evaluate the usefulness of the ELISPOT assay for diagnosing abdominal TB and to compare PF-MC assay data with those from PBMC analysis in patients with suspected TB peritonitis.…”

Diagnosis of genital tuberculosis: correlation between polymerase chain reaction positivity and laparoscopic findings

“…Visual manifestations of abdominal and pelvic TB at laparotomy and laparoscopy in established cases are well described. [13][14][15][16][17][18] However, subtle signs of subclinical disease have not been identified nor have they correlated with laboratory tests.…”

Diagnosis of pelvic tuberculosis in a patient with tubal infertility

“…The most common finding is pelvic adhesions, followed by tubal pathology (i.e. hydrosalpinx, pyosalpinx) or occlusion (by chromopertubation), peritoneal, fallopian tube, or ovarian tubercules, perihepatic adhesions (FitzHugh-Curtis syndrome), tubo-ovarian mass, ascites, and caseous or granulomatous nodules (16)(17)(18). In the case presented above, a complete history would have yielded a higher suspicion of TB at the time of laparoscopy and opportunity to complete more definitive TB testing (i.e.…”