Journal des maladies infectieuses et de la médecine

Zeihl Neelsen Stain: Still a Reliable Option for EPTB Diagnosis in Resource Constraint Settings

Abstract

Kumar A, Duggal SD, Paramita Jena P, Rainy Rongpharpi S and Gur R

Background: Endemic countries like India are burdened with the bludgeoning effects of tuberculosis. While pulmonary tuberculosis is more prevalent and communicable, diagnosis of extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is more challenging.
Methods: This was a retrospective study done for three consecutive years 2013 to 2015. The extra-pulmonary smear samples from patients suspected of tuberculosis were stained with Zeihl Neelsen stain and examined. Results: Based on ZN stain, EPTB was diagnosed in 13.4%, 9.5%, 10.6% suspected cases between 2013 to 2015 respectively. Highest positivity was seen among pus aspirates from lymph nodes in 13-25 years age group.
Conclusion: New technological advances are being made all across the globe for faster and specific tuberculosis diagnosis. However in resource limited settings, reliance is often on the smear microscopy findings. Diligently observed smears increase chances of diagnosis and is often rewarding.