Utility of MTP40 nested PCR in diagnosis of tubercular pleural effusion

Extra pulmonary TB is present in 15% of all TB cases. This incidence is higher about 50% in HIV affected patients. Tuberculous pleural effusion accounts for 4% of all TB cases. Though we have lot of diagnostic methods to diagnose pulmonary TB, we are lacking of a good diagnostic method to identify tubercular pleural effusion. In this issue we have studied the utility of Nested PCR (MTP40) in diagnosis of tubercular pleural effusion. We have included 200 pleural effusion patients. The sensitivity of Nested PCR test is 19% and specificity 100%, Diagnostic Accuracy 59.5%. This study conducted from May 2017 to June 2019. This is a cross sectional study done in a tertiary care center in Varanasi included 200 patients of pleural effusion. Keywords: Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Tubercular pleural effusion.