Abdominal Tuberculosis – How Far are Our Diagnostics Illuminating?

Tuberculosis can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, the peritroneum, pancreas and the hepatobiliary system. Gastrointestinal tuberculosis mimics many clinical conditions and only a high degree of suspicion can help in the diagnosis otherwise there are chances of missing it leading to high morbidity and mortality. Various methods of diagnosis are available but which one is the right test for a particular patient needs to be ascertained. Culture remains the gold standard method of diagnosis. Fast track cultures like MGIT/M Bact Alert 3 D can give faster results with in few days to few weeks. Molecular tests are fastest and can be used as a supplementary test. Nested PCR can give results with in few hours.