Female genital tuberculosis in Pakistan – A retrospective review of 10-year laboratory data and analysis of 32 cases

Background: Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is an underobserved clinical entity owing to diagnostic challenges stemming from difficulty of obtaining specimens and paucibacillary nature the disease. Yet, FGTB a cause infertility, pelvic pain, or menstrual irregularities in high-burden countries. To assess laboratory microbiology utilization for Pakistan, we have collected data 2007 2016 inform need improved diagnostics. The objectives this study were determine proportion as culture-confirmed extrapulmonary (EPTB) describe characteristics women with nationwide network Pakistan. Method: A retrospective database was established by accessing archives analyzed sex source cases among women. Data checked quality, after removing patient identifiers duplicate samples, frequencies calculated MS Excel. Clinical patients derived linked hospital those who diagnosed managed at affiliated university Karachi, Results: Over 10 years, 410,748 mycobacterial cultures received multiple geographic sites throughout Pakistan processed laboratory. overall mean culture positivity rate 5.9% ± 3.5%, while females 2.8% 0.8%. Among female cases, pulmonary-to-EPTB ratio infection 5. total 32 reported on basis positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis; 3 (9.4%) rifampin resistant. Conclusions: currently constitutes small but significant EPTB. fewer number requisitions suggest increase awareness testing. advent high-sensitivity molecular testing has potential improve accuracy detection regions.