Polymerase chain reaction based diagnosis of primary gastric tuberculosis in an 80-year-old woman: a case report and review of the literature

• Published in: The New microbiologica Vol. 32; no. 2; pp. 217 - 221
• Main Authors: Baylan, Orhan, Kilciler, Guldem, Albay, Ali, Tuzun, Ahmet, Kisa, Ozgul, Dagalp, Kemal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy 01.04.2009
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Antitubercular Agents - therapeutic use; Biopsy; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; DNA, Bacterial - isolation & purification; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Female; Humans; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - drug effects; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - genetics; Mycobacterium tuberculosis - isolation & purification; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Stomach - microbiology; Stomach - pathology; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal - diagnosis; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal - drug therapy; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal - microbiology; Tuberculosis, Gastrointestinal - pathology
• ISSN: 1121-7138

The patient had a two month history of gastrointestinal symptoms. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy disclosed 5 mm nodular lesions were seen in the prepyloric area. On pathological examination, two granulomatous lesions were detected in biopsy specimen. Ehrlich Ziehl-Neelsen staining and cultures of the biopsy material were negative, but polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA was positive. Clinical diagnosis of primary gastric tuberculosis (PGTb) was supported by positive PCR assay and histopathological findings. After antituberculosis treatment, nodular lesions were not detected. The diagnosis of PGTb was confirmed definitively by the success of treatment and repeated endoscopic examination.