Many forms of extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) are paucibacillary, and the diagnosis is therefore challenging. The acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining is often found to be negative in such cases. For this reason, the streamlined approaches and methodology should be followed by physicians or pathologists. This article summarizes some of these practices for the diagnosis of EPTB. World Health Organization estimates that of the global burden of TB cases, India ranked highest.
In the recent years, a considerable progress has been made in diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, diagnostic challenges in EPTB remain to be addressed. Challenges in Diagnosis of EPTB: EPTB often results in negative sputum smear especially with non-pulmonary involvement. The diagnosis is difficult in rural facilities that are used by about 70% of the population in developing countries. Use of irrelevant routine…
