[Laboratory diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in combination with Southern hybridization technique and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in tuberculous peritonitis.

METHODS

Fourty-two tuberculous ascites were detected for M. tuberculosis by PCR technique in combination with Southern hybridization, in which nuclear acid probe was digoxigenin-labeled, and the result was compared with conventional bacteriological methods and ELISA. IS6110, a specific insert sequence of M. tuberculosis, was used as primer. The specificity of PCR products was confirmed by hybridization and digestion with Sal I restrictive endonuclerase, and the sensitivity of hybridization was compared with gel electrophoresis.

RESULTS

The sensitivities were 69% by PCR, 71% by ELISA, 9% by culture and 0 by acid fast staining respectively. Hybridization was found more sensitive than gel electrophoresis.

CONCLUSIONS

Both PCR technique and ELISA are valuable in diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis, and the former is more specific than the latter. PCR technique in combination with Southern hybridization can improve both the sensitivity and the specificity of dectection.