Applicability: C1, P2 urine, peritoneal fluid and sperm) Bhanothu, Level III-2: N=202 specimens from Inclusion Not described MTB-specific PCR AFB smears were Cultures were grown Theophilus & HIV– patients method using primers to stained with ZN on L-J medium A comparison with Infertile women highly Rozati () detect the TCR4 gene stain reference standard (not Mean age 28.5 ± suspected of having India blinded or blinding not 4.5 years FGTB known) Exclusion Quality: Some risk of bias n=123 endometrial Older than 40 years of Patient selection tissue biopsies age, normal n=68 ovarian tissue abdominal and Index test ? biopsies vaginal examinations, Comparator ? n=11 pelvic aspirated pregnant and nursing Reference std ? fluids women, severe Flow and timing psychiatric Applicability: C1, P2 dysfunctions, endocrine problems, sexual disorders, autoimmune disorders, pulmonary or HIV co-infections, diabetes, malnutrition, hypertension, male infertility and ovulation abnormality Bhanu et al. () Level III-1: N=18 specimens Inclusion The samples were PCR of a 123-base pair ZN AFB Growth on L-J decontaminated in target DNA sequence microscopy medium culture was India A comparison against Aged 20–40 years Infertile women with NaOH employing from IS6110 specific for monitored for independent, blinded laparoscopic findings HIV status not reported modified Hank’s MTB-complex 8 weeks and the reference standard among suggestive of possible 16 endometrial flocculation method mycobacterial non-consecutive patients GUTB aspirates species identified in Quality: Low risk of bias Exclusion 14 endometrial positive cultures Patient selection biopsies None stated Index test Comparator Reference std
Applicability: C1, P2 urine, peritoneal fluid and sperm) Bhanothu, Theophilus & Rozati () India Level III-2: A comparison with reference standard (not blinded or blinding not known) Quality: Some risk of bias Patient selection Index test ? Comparator ? Reference std ? Flow and timing Applicability: C1, P2 N=202 specimens from HIV– patients Mean age 28.5 ± 4.5 years n=123 endometrial tissue biopsies n=68 ovarian tissue biopsies n=11 pelvic aspirated fluids Inclusion Infertile women highly suspected of having FGTB Exclusion Older than 40 years of age, normal abdominal and vaginal examinations, pregnant and nursing women, severe psychiatric dysfunctions, endocrine problems, sexual disorders, autoimmune disorders, pulmonary or HIV co-infections, diabetes, malnutrition, hypertension, male infertility and ovulation abnormality Not described MTB-specific PCR method using primers to detect the TCR4 gene AFB smears were stained with ZN stain Cultures were grown on L-J medium Bhanu et al. () India Level III-1: A comparison against independent, blinded reference standard among non-consecutive patients Quality: Low risk of bias Patient selection Index test Comparator Reference std N=18 specimens Aged 20–40 years HIV status not reported 16 endometrial aspirates 14 endometrial biopsies Inclusion Infertile women with laparoscopic findings suggestive of possible GUTB Exclusion None stated The samples were decontaminated in NaOH employing modified Hank’s flocculation method PCR of a 123-base pair target DNA sequence from IS6110 specific for MTB-complex ZN AFB microscopy Growth on L-J medium culture was monitored for 8 weeks and the mycobacterial species identified in positive cultures