Abstract:

Objective: Tuberculosis (TB) one of the most important major causes of mortality and morbidity around the world. Early detection of TB affords to prevent transmission of TB and better treatment options. The aim of this study is to evaluate sensitivity of fluorescent, Ziehl Neelsen microscopy and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method. Methods: Fifty samples of clinically suspected cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were collected and processed for Myco­bacteria by Fluorescent and ZN staining. Negative samples by staining methods were processed by PCR method using primer IS6110 of M. tuberculosis complex. Results: 33/50 (66.0%) samples were positive by Fluorescent and 23/50 (46%) were positive by ZN method. All micro­scopically negative samples (n=17) were processed to PCR and only seven of samples (41.1%) showed positive results. Conclusion: We concluded that PCR is best but it required lot of investment.

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