Modified Ziehl Neelsen Staining in the Diagnosis of Osteoarticular Tuberculosis Patients: A Hospital Based Comparative study

Abstract

Objectives: Thisstudy was to evaluate the prevalence of osteoarticular tuberculosis and to compare the role of modified Ziehl Neelsen staining with Ziehl Neelsen staining in the diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis patients. Methods: The clinical sample was collected by FNAC which was an outpatient procedure. Under sterile precautions, the sample was collected using 20-gauge needle. For the accuracy in the diagnosis, multiple clinical specimens were collected. Immediately after collection, specimens were transported to microbiology laboratory for smear preparation, staining and for reading the stained smears. With each group patient’s specimen, smears was prepared. Group A specimen was stained by ZN staining and the group B specimens was stained by MZN staining technique. Results: Most of the patients 30(30%) of ZN staining and MZN staining 29(29%) group were in age group of 31-45 years. 62% and 63% patients of ZN and MZN staining were males respectively. Smear positivity was seen in 59(59%) ZN-staining and 67(67%) MZN staining OTB patients.Conclusions: OTB was more preponderance in middle age male population. Smear positivity for OTB was greater in Modified Ziehl Neelsen staining technique as compared to Ziehl Neelsen staining technique. Hence, MZN is a better technique for the diagnosis of osteoarticular tuberculosis.