Comparison of Ziehl- Neelsen Stain, Enzyme Linked Immunosorbend Assay and Polymerase Chain Reaction Techniques in Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Khartoum State

Abstract

This study was carried out in Khartoum state during the .period between Feb. 2010 and May. 2010 The study aimed to evaluation of the reliability of Anti- mycolic acid antibody IgM by ELISA method in the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis compared to ZN technique and PCR in the diagnosis of pulmonary .tuberculosis In this study, ninety (90) sputum and eighty (80) blood samples were collected from patients suspected to have .pulmonary tuberculosis Among enrolled patients, 68 (75.6%) were found males .and 22 (24.4%) were females Different bacteriological, serological and molecular techniques were conducted. Concerning Ziehl-Neelsen technique, 17 (18.9%) were positive for acid-fast bacilli while 73 (81.1%) were negative. At the same time amplification of IS 6110 reflected 79 (87.8%) positive and .11(12.2%) negative result On the other hand, ELISA for anti-mycolic acid anti IgM showed positive results in 55 (68.75%) and negative in .(25 (31.25% From these findings and according to the result obtained by using the Anti-IgM anti-mycolic acid, the majority were positive for PCR; 48 (87.1%). However, 7 (12.7%) were negative to PCR. On the other hand, 45 (81.8%) out of 55 anti-IgM anti mycolic positive showed negative ZN smear, while, 10 (8.2%) of them revealed positive result .by using ZN technique Additionally, out of 25 negative Anti-IgM sample, 21 (84.0%) were PCR positive and 4 (16.0%) were negative, while 22 (88%) were negative by ZN stain, but 3 (12%) .were showed positive results From these finding, it is concluded that diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis using tedious classical technique like ZN technique need to be supported by new rapid technique like PCR and detection of AMA by .(serodiagnosis technique (ELISA