1
|
Yadav AK, Jha A, Lohani B, Yadav S, Khatiwada A. Diagnostic dilemma in female genital tract tuberculosis: A case report. Radiol Case Rep 2024; 19:3439-3442. [PMID: 38872740 PMCID: PMC11169070 DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.04.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Female genital tract tuberculosis presents a diagnostic challenge because of its variable clinical presentation and radiological manifestation. Most patients are present with history of infertility, pain in the abdomen, vaginal discharge, and bleeding. These symptoms mimic those of gynecological cancer, such as endometrial carcinoma. Endometrial cancer typically manifests with vaginal bleeding in the post-menopausal age group; however, in less than 10% to 20% patients, it can occur in perimenopausal age groups, which makes it difficult to distinguish between malignancy and tuberculosis. We present a case report of a 40-year-old woman who complained of vaginal bleeding and lower abdominal pain. Her imaging findings favored the diagnosis of endometrial carcinoma but histopathology revealed tuberculosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aalok Kumar Yadav
- Department of radiology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj road, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Anamika Jha
- Department of radiology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj road, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Benu Lohani
- Department of radiology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj road, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Abhikanta Khatiwada
- Department of radiology, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj road, Kathmandu, Nepal
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sharma JB, Sharma S, Sharma E, Dharmendra S, Singh S. Immune disturbances in female genital tuberculosis and latent genital tuberculosis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13632. [PMID: 36494901 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB), an important clinical sub-type of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is responsible for about 10% cases of infertility in India. Both FGTB and latent genital tuberculosis (LGTB) can cause infertility through blockage of fallopian tubes and through altered uterine endometrial receptivity. AIMS This review tries to elucidates the role of various immune factors in FGTB and LGTB. CONTENT Various immune disturbances are observed in FGTB and LGTB like growth factors and cytokines which inhibit implantation and several inflammatory signaling pathways like mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), natural killer (NK) cells, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-KB), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and toll like receptors (TLR) signaling are dysregulated. These altered immune factors and pathways may be detected in the endometrial biopsies at the early stages of disease before permanent damage. Prompt and adequate treatment with the four anti-tubercular drugs (rifampicin [R], isoniazid [H], pyrazinamide [Z], and ethambutol [E]) can increase pregnancy rates in some of these women. Assisted reproduction especially in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer may be required for some women. IMPLICATIONS Inflammatory pathways identified from the gene profiling have enabled development of potential biomarkers for early diagnosis of FGTB. Immunomodulation and novel biotechniques like stem cell transplantation, nanoparticles and host directed therapies are being tried in selected patients of FGTB and LGTB with promising results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jai Bhagwan Sharma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sangeeta Sharma
- Department of Paediatrics, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi, India
| | - Eshani Sharma
- Department of Medicine, KU School of Medicine, Wichita, Kansas, USA
| | - Sona Dharmendra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sheena Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mandell H, Stuparich M, Nahas S, Veve R, Behbehani S. Double trouble: pelvic pain associated with a dual presentation of endometriosis and granulomatous peritonitis. JOURNAL OF ENDOMETRIOSIS AND PELVIC PAIN DISORDERS 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/22840265211053116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A 34-year-old patient presented to our office with chronic pelvic pain. Prior laparoscopic surgery revealed endometriotic appearing lesions which were ablated. The patient opted for another surgery to diagnose and treat potential leftover endometriosis. Laparoscopy revealed the presence of endometriotic appearing lesions, but pathology revealed two different histological diagnosis: endometriosis and granulomas, even in areas where no endometriosis was encountered. In any granulomatous presentation, exposure to mycobacteria must be ruled out. Without excision of abnormal appearing lesions seen on laparoscopy, endometriosis can not be confirmed and other potential causes of pain cannot be excluded.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Mandell
- School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Mallory Stuparich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Samar Nahas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Robert Veve
- Department of Pathology, Rancho Springs Medical Center, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Sadikah Behbehani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Dahiya B, Kamra E, Alam D, Chauhan M, Mehta PK. Insight into diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2021; 22:625-642. [PMID: 34882522 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2016395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Female genital tuberculosis (TB) is a common manifestation of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) with varied clinical presentations, i.e. infertility, pelvic pain and menstrual irregularities. Diagnosis of female genital TB is challenging predominantly due to paucibacillary nature of specimens and inconclusive results obtained by most of the routine laboratory tests. AREAS COVERED This review has briefly summarized the epidemiology, clinical features and transmission of female genital TB. Commonly used laboratory tests include bacteriological examination (smear/culture), tuberculin skin testing, interferon-γ release assays, imaging, laparoscopy/hysteroscopy and histopathological/cytological observations. Further, utility of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), like loop-mediated isothermal amplification, PCR, multiplex-PCR, nested PCR, real-time PCR and GeneXpert® could significantly improve the detection of female genital TB. EXPERT OPINION Currently, there is no single test available for the efficient diagnosis of female genital TB, rather a combination of tests is being employed, which yields moderate diagnostic accuracy. The latest modalities developed for diagnosing pulmonary TB and other clinical EPTB forms, i.e. aptamer-linked immobilized sorbent assay, immuno-PCR (I-PCR), analysis of circulating cell-free DNA by NAATs, and identification of Mycobacterium tuberculosis biomarkers within extracellular vesicles of bodily fluids by I-PCR/nanoparticle-based I-PCR, may also be exploited to further improve the diagnosis of female genital TB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bhawna Dahiya
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India
| | - Ekta Kamra
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India
| | - Danish Alam
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India
| | - Meenakshi Chauhan
- Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pt. B.D. Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India
| | - Promod K Mehta
- Centre for Biotechnology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak-124001, Haryana, India
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Sharma JB, Sharma E, Sharma S, Dharmendra S. Recent Advances in Diagnosis and Management of Female Genital Tuberculosis. J Obstet Gynaecol India 2021; 71:476-487. [PMID: 34483510 PMCID: PMC8402974 DOI: 10.1007/s13224-021-01523-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is an important cause of significant morbidity and infertility. Gold-standard diagnosis by demonstration of acid fast bacilli on microscopy or culture or detection of epithelioid granuloma on histopathology of endometrial or peritoneal biopsy is positive in only small percentage of cases due to its paucibacillary nature. Use of gene Xpert on endometrial or peritoneal biopsy has improved sensitivity of diagnosis. Composite reference standard (CRS) is a significant landmark in its diagnosis in which combination of factors like AFB on microscopy or culture, positive gene Xpert, epithelioid granuloma on endometrial or peritoneal biopsy, demonstration of definite or probable findings of FGTB on laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. There have been many advances and changes in management of FGTB recently. The program is now called National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), and categorization of TB has been stopped. Now, patients are divided into drug-sensitive FGTB for which rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z) and ethambutol (E) are given orally daily for 2 months followed by three drugs (rifampicin, isoniazid and ethambutol (RHE) orally daily for next 4 months. Multi-drug-resistant FGTB is treated with shorter MDR TB regimen of 9-11 months or longer MDR TB regimen of 18-20 months with reserved drugs. In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer have good results for blocked tubes and receptive endometrium, while surrogacy or adoption is advised for severe grades of Asherman's syndrome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. B. Sharma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room No. 3064A, IIIrd Floor, Teaching Block, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Eshani Sharma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room No. 3064A, IIIrd Floor, Teaching Block, New Delhi, 110029 India
| | - Sangeeta Sharma
- Department of Paediatrics, National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi, India
| | - Sona Dharmendra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Room No. 3064A, IIIrd Floor, Teaching Block, New Delhi, 110029 India
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aggarwal A, Das CJ, Manchanda S. Imaging Spectrum of Female Genital Tuberculosis: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Probl Diagn Radiol 2021; 51:617-627. [PMID: 34304946 DOI: 10.1067/j.cpradiol.2021.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Female genital tuberculosis is a relatively uncommon form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis that is under-reported and under-recognized. The early course of the disease has fewer manifestations, resulting in late presentation with grave complications like infertility and ectopic pregnancy. Also, difficulty in isolation of the causative bacteria further delays the diagnosis. The radiologist should be well versed with imaging findings of female genital TB to help the clinicians to initiate prompt treatment. This review shall cover imaging findings of female genital TB involving fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva on different imaging modalities. Fallopian tubes are almost always involved in genital TB followed by uterus and ovaries. Hysterosalpingogram and ultrasound can best detect tubercular changes in fallopian tubes and uterus whereas cross-sectional imaging is essential for the diagnosis of ovarian or peritoneal TB as they closely mimic malignancy. Cervical, vaginal, or vulval TB produces nonspecific changes and histopathological diagnosis is required for confirmation of the diagnoses. Close differential diagnosis on imaging like malignancy or pelvic inflammatory disease, are also discussed with a brief discussion of the pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Aggarwal
- Department of Radiology, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Chandan J Das
- Department of Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
| | - Smita Manchanda
- Department of Radiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Sharma JB. Sharma's parachute sign a new laparoscopic sign in abdomino pelvic tuberculosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 68:389-395. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2019.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/15/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
8
|
Sharma's abdominal compartmentalization sign: A new laparoscopic sign for abdomino-pelvic tuberculosis. Indian J Tuberc 2020; 67:578-585. [PMID: 33077063 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijtb.2020.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
|
9
|
Abstract
Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (rarely Mycobacterium bovis and/or atypical mycobacteria) being usually secondary to TB of the lungs or other organs with infection reaching through haematogenous, lymphatic route or direct spread from abdominal TB. In FGTB, fallopian tubes are affected in 90 per cent women, whereas uterine endometrium is affected in 70 per cent and ovaries in about 25 per cent women. It causes menstrual dysfunction and infertility through the damage of genital organs. Some cases may be asymptomatic. Diagnosis is often made from proper history taking, meticulous clinical examination and judicious use of investigations, especially endometrial aspirate (or biopsy) and endoscopy. Treatment is through multi-drug antitubercular treatment for adequate time period (rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol daily for 60 days followed by rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol daily for 120 days). Treatment is given for 18-24 months using the second-line drugs for drug-resistant (DR) cases. With the advent of increased access to rapid diagnostics and newer drugs, the management protocol is moving towards achieving universal drug sensitivity testing and treatment with injection-free regimens containing newer drugs, especially for new and previously treated DR cases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jai Bhagwan Sharma
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Eshani Sharma
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Sangeeta Sharma
- Department of Paediatrics, National Institute of TB & Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi, India
| | - Sona Dharmendra
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|