Primary splenic tubercular abscess in an immunocompromised patient-rapid diagnosis by line probe assay.

Diagnosing extra-pulmonary tuberculosis is a challenge that can confound even the most practiced clinicians as clinical manifestations are vague, non-specific and typical chest radiograph findings may not be evident till late in the disease. Conventional methods for mycobacteriological culture and drug susceptibility testing are slow and cumbersome. Novel technologies for rapid detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its anti-TB drug resistance have therefore become a priority hence with the development of molecular line probe assays are most advanced.