Contribution of fine needle aspiration and auramine tests in diagnosis of Tuberculosis lymphadenitis at Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK), Rwanda

Abstract

Background

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis affects mainly the lungs but other organs of the body are involved. TB lymphadenitis is most common in extrapulmonary TB. Lymphadenitis is the infection or inflammation of the lymph nodes which are essential in immune response of the body.

Objective

To evaluate the contribution of fine needle aspiration (FNA) and auramine tests in the diagnosis of TB lymphadenitis.

Methods

Smears from lymph node aspirates were prepared. Air-dried smears were stained by auramine staining for AFB examination and Diff-Quick staining cytological technique to detect malignant cells and other pathology. The slides were examined by laboratory technologists and the pathologist.

Results

Results are based on a total number of 137 samples; 58 (42.33%) cases were auramine positive for TB lymphadenitis while other 79 (57.67%) suspected cases were non TB lymphadenitis. Necrotizing lymphadenitis, granulomatous lymphadenitis, chronic lymphadenitis, acute lymphadenitis and reactive lymphadenitis represented 21.19%; 13.14%; 1.42%; 2.19%; and 19.71% respectively.

Conclusion

The use of auramine test and FNA cytology should be considered as useful in the diagnosis of tuberculosis lymphadenitis. These techniques are less expensive, quick, safe and show low complication rate.

Keywords: TB lymphadenitis; fine needle aspiration; auramine test