The detection rate and clinical and diagnostic values of L forms of the pathogen in patients with pulmonary or extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Bobchenok, A.P.; Steklova, L.N.; Vishnevskaia, E.B.; Melnikova, N.N.; Vishnevskiĭ, B.I.
Problemy Tuberkuleza 4: 19-21
2002
ISSN/ISBN: 0032-9533 PMID: 12125245 Document Number: 547776
The detection rate and clinical and diagnostic values of L-forms of pathogens were determined in patients with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Simultaneous culturing the specimens for typical and L forms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MBT) increased the number of positive results by isolating only L-forms by 10.3% in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and by 27.7% in those with extrapulmonary tuberculosis. No bacterial isolation in tests only for typical forms of MBT is shown not to be true and a purposeful search for L-forms of MBT enhances the efficiency of a bacteriological test. This is of great significance in confirming the specific nature of the disease, its progression, in choosing a treatment policy, in evaluating is efficiency, in defining prognosis, and in correcting preventive measures in the focus of tuberculous infection. With extrapulmonary tuberculosis, the tuberculous nature of isolated L-forms has been evidenced by the polymerase chain reaction.