Nested PCR for diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis and PCR‐SSCP for identification of rifampicin resistance in fine‐needle aspirates

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Abstract
An accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis and multidrug resistance is important for the control of tuberculosis, which remains a major public health problem. Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) has provided an alternative tool for bacterial examination. This study was performed to investigate the usefulness of one‐step polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR‐SSCP as a routine test for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and rifampicin‐resistant strain in FNA. Ziehl‐Neelsen stain (Z‐N) and PCR were processed using the aspirates of tuberculous lymphadenitis for the detection of M. tuberculosis. PCR‐SSCP was done for the identification of rpoB mutation. M. tuberculosis was detected in 49/63 (77.8%) by PCR and 25/63 (39.7%) by Z‐N. There were 26 cases with PCR(+)/Z‐N(‐) and two cases with PCR(‐)/Z‐N(+). Twelve cases showed negativity against both. In 7/22 (31.8%), rpoB mutation was observed. In conclusion, PCR is more sensitive in the detection of M. tuberculosis in FNA than Z‐N. PCR‐SSCP could also be used in FNA in the prediction of multidrug resistance. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2002;26:228–231.