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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Bone Tuberculosis Be Confirmed?

Hi Dr., My husband is 34, he is suffering from a very severe leg pain from join till Knee. We have got his MRI done and heis suspected for Bone TB. Is there a way to confirm that it is a TB? He has symtoms of mild fever, morning fatigue since 8 months.
Tue, 27 Oct 2015
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
The confirmation test for tuberculosis is detection of tubercular bacilli, a positive culture and PCR.
Other tests like Mantoux test is an adjunct but is not confirmatory.
Is there accumulation of fluid in the joint?
If yes then the joint aspirate can be used for the above mentioned tests.
Out of all there tests PCR is the fastest test, you can get the result the same day or next day.
Culture of mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli takes one and half months to grow so the result is the not immediate.
The mycobacterium bacilli can be detected on joint fluid but since the bacillary load is low in fluids, they may not be detected.
So, you can consult your treating doctor for aspiration of fluid (if present) and prescription of these tests for confirmation of tuberculosis.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri



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How Can Bone Tuberculosis Be Confirmed?

Hello and welcome to HCM, The confirmation test for tuberculosis is detection of tubercular bacilli, a positive culture and PCR. Other tests like Mantoux test is an adjunct but is not confirmatory. Is there accumulation of fluid in the joint? If yes then the joint aspirate can be used for the above mentioned tests. Out of all there tests PCR is the fastest test, you can get the result the same day or next day. Culture of mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli takes one and half months to grow so the result is the not immediate. The mycobacterium bacilli can be detected on joint fluid but since the bacillary load is low in fluids, they may not be detected. So, you can consult your treating doctor for aspiration of fluid (if present) and prescription of these tests for confirmation of tuberculosis. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri