Background: Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is a well-recognized but frequently overlooked cause of infertility in regions with high tuberculosis prevalence. The absence of specific symptoms and the low bacillary load often lead to delayed or missed diagnosis when single diagnostic tests are used.
Objective: To assess and compare the diagnostic performance of immunological, molecular, histopathological, and endoscopic modalities for FGTB using a composite reference standard (CRS) in infertile women.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Srinagar between 2021 and 2022. Twenty-five infertile women with clinical suspicion of FGTB underwent evaluation with interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA), endometrial GeneXpert MTB/RIF, MPT64-PCR, histopathology, mycobacterial culture, and pelvic imaging including laparoscopy where indicated. Diagnostic indices were calculated against CRS.
Results: The mean participant age was 30.2 years; three-fourths had primary infertility. IGRA demonstrated the highest sensitivity (80%) and specificity (95%). Laparoscopy revealed tubercular features in 80% of patients. Molecular tests showed moderate sensitivity, with GeneXpert detecting 60% of cases. Combining modalities increased the overall diagnostic yield to 85%.
Conclusion: Reliance on a single test is insufficient for diagnosing FGTB. A multimodal diagnostic strategy significantly enhances detection and may allow earlier intervention to improve reproductive outcomes in endemic areas.
Keywords: Female genital tuberculosis, infertility, IGRA, GeneXpert, laparoscopy, composite reference standard.
How to cite this article: Farooq O, Dar FA, Chaudhary N, Rather SY. Diagnosis of genital tuberculosis in infertile women: a comparative study from a tertiary care. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(6s): 51-56; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.6s.5
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: None