A case of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed by DNA amplification methods from transbronchial lung biopsy materials.

The hybridization assay using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is useful for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). A 77-year-old female was admitted to our hospital complaining of cough, and examination of the sputum culture showed M. tuberculosis. Her chest X-ray showed a variety of abnormal shadows, such as a cavity lesion, multiple coin lesions, and infiltrates. Malignant disease was also suspected to be involved, with the complication of pulmonary tuberculosis. Specimens were obtained by transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) from coin lesions. The hybridization assay using PCR on the TBLB specimens showed M. tuberculosis gene expression. She was treated with anti-tuberculous drugs. All shadows in her chest X-ray were improved six months after admission. She was remained well without recurrence for more than two years after admission. The hybridization assay using PCR with TBLB specimens is useful for the detection of M. tuberculosis.