Comparative investigation of female genital tuberculosis gene polymorphism

FGTB is usually a silent disease evidencing itself only when really looked for. It usually affects females of reproductive age group. Disruption of the IFN-gamma gene in mice infected with M. tuberculosis has resulted in exacerbation of disease, progressive and widespread tissue destruction and necrosis with numerous bacteria. Therefore, we proposed to distinguish the possible limitations of phenotypic methods and the possible association of IFN-γ gene polymorphism with Female genital tuberculosis. It is a prospective case-control study. A total of 206 patients were used for screening of female genital tuberculosis including 100 unaffected patients aged between 18 to 40 years. Surgically removed tissue was taken from both groups for laboratory examination, Laparoscopy/laparotomy, culture, X-ray including AFB using light microscopy following concentration, staining by Ziehl–Neelsen stain as well as culture and M. tuberculosis specific PCR, the diagnostic criteria by which tuberculosis was confirmed in order to distinguish Koch bacillus by three-time bacterioscopy of specimens for acid resistant bacteria. Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been detected in 88 (106, 83 %) FGTB patients by PCR method, by smear microscopy -acid fast bacilli (AFB+) in 19 (17.92%) patients and by culture in 35 (33.01%) patients. The histopathological investigation of specimens obtained by surgery gave positive in 52 (49.05%) of FGTB patients. This study on patients suspected of having female genital tuberculosis gives us an opportunity to update the investigative procedures by including the modern molecular methods like gene polymorphism studies. Distribution of IFN- γ genotypes between patients and controls has statistical disproportion. This study suggests that IFN-γ +874 T to A polymorphism have an etiological association with susceptibility of female genital tuberculosis. This study may help in timely detection of FGTB along with gene polymorphisms wherever applicable, in selection of satisfactory therapy and in anticipation of the further progression of the disease.