Objective: Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes disease by settling in various tissues and organs; and tuberculosis (TB) that has settled out of the lungs is called extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB). In this study, we aimed to investigate the demographic features and distribution of organ and tissue localization of EPTB cases in our region which are all confirmed by culture positivity; and the comparison of diagnostic performance of the diagnostic methods.

Material and Methods: Clinical specimens of 2230 patients sent from various clinics, suspected of EPTB, were examined in the Department of Mycobacteriology. The presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) was evaluated by Ehrlich-Ziehl Neelsen and culture methods. Patients whose cultures demonstrated growth of MTC were evaluated retrospectively.

Results: Of the 2230 patients suspected of EPTB, MTC was isolated from cultures of 101 (4.5%) patients, and in 25 (1.1%) of them growth of acid-resistant bacilli was detected. Caseation necrosis was detected in 24 (68.6%) of 35 (34.7%) patients that had lymph node biopsy. The frequency of EPTB classified according to the sites of infection were as follows: TB lymphadenitis ( 34.7%), genitourinary system TB (19.8%), pleural TB (18.8%), bone and/or joint TB (12.9%), TB meningitis (10.9%), peritoneal TB (2%) and gastrointestinal system TB (1%).

Conclusion: The frequency of EPTB confirmed with culture positivity was found to be 4.5% in our region. Observation of the cases during the most productive age is important to show the extent of economic loss of our country. Delays in the diagnosis of EPTB cause problems in treatment of the disease with an increase in the mortality and morbidity.