PCR: A FAST DIAGNOSTIC INVESTIGATION FOR SPINAL TUBERCULOSIS

Abstract

PCR, as a new faster diagnostic modality for tuberculosis is slowly picking up in our country where nearly six million cases of tuberculosis exists, of which 3% are skeletal tuberculosis. Confirmation of diagnosis by traditional methods takes around couple of weeks and requires a high bacteriological load in the sample.We are presenting a spinal tuberculosis case where preoperative sample from the surgical empyema proved sufficient for definitive diagnosis of tuberculosis using PCR against hsp65 gene with nucleotide sequence specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.With this case report we have been able to bring about the advantages of PCR i.e. high specificity, early diagnosis and the ease of operations in PCR as compared to other traditional diagnostic modalities for tuberculosis.