Prevalence of endometrial tuberculosis-polymerase chain reaction (TB PCR) positive (Latent TB) in a population referred for in vitro fertilisation(IVF) in a developing country

Studies have suggested a possible role of antitubercular treatment (ATT) for treating infertility in women with latent or preclinical tubeculosis (TB). This study investigates the effect of latent TB on IVF outcome. This was a prospective cohort study which included women referred for assisted reproductive technique between December 2013 to February 2015. Two hundred forty-five women who consented for an endometrial biopsy for TB DNA PCR (Deoxy-ribo nucleic acid-polymerase chain reaction) in the premenstrual phase were included in this study. Nested TB DNA PCR for IS6110 and MPB64 was performed on endometrial samples of the women. The effect of latent TB (positive endometrial DNA PCR) was estimated in terms of statistical difference in clinical pregnancy rate. Endometrial TB DNA PCR was positive for 19 women (7.7%). The clinical pregnancy rate was similar in both groups (28.16 vs. 26.3%; p = 0.5) without ATT. Patients with both positive and negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were similar in age, duration and type of infertility, and the infertility diagnosis. Positive endometrial TB DNA PCR (latent TB) alone does not require antitubercular drugs for treatment of infertility. TB DNA PCR should not be the sole criterion for diagnosis of genital TB and starting or concluding treatment.