Why do we miss isolated male genital tuberculosis diagnosis?

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis remains a worldwide health problem. It can affect the entire genitourinary tract. Tuberculosis of male genital tract still presents a diagnostic dilemma because of its varied presentations and the unavailability of sensitive and specific investigations. "Urogenital tuberculosis" is the most common term used in the literature. Male genital tuberculosis (MGTB) is usually reviewed together with urinary tract tuberculosis because often both sites are involved simultaneously; however, this is not always the case and current terminology may need to be modified. Until now, little importance has been given to isolated MGTB diagnosis. The current methods used for diagnosis are not adequate and the optimal strategy warrants further studies with a special attention on the evaluation of sperm investigations. In this review, we aim to establish a summary on the type of tuberculosis affecting only the male genital tract. We recommend that the diagnosis of MGTB should be made taking into consideration the epidemiological data, the clinical presentation, and performance of latest molecular or immunological tools from urine, sperm, blood, other fluids or tissue specimens.