Abstract

CALLAPA RAFAEL, J.; CONDE CHIPANA, M.; CERRUTO NUNEZ, Y.  and  REVOLLO ZEPITA, S.. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF EXTRAPULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS DIAGNOSED BY QPCR AT THE SELADIS INSTITUTE: IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. Cuad. - Hosp. Clín. [online]. 2025, vol.66, n.1, pp.31-43.  Epub Sep 23, 2025. ISSN 1562-6776.

INTRODUCTION

Extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) is a less common but clinically relevant form of tuberculosis that affects organs outside the respiratory system. Its diagnosis presents challenges due to clinical variability and the limited sensitivity of traditional methods. This study analyzes cases of EPTB confirmed by qPCR at the SELADIS Institute between 2019 and 2023 to identify possible variations in its incidence associated with the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency of EPTB diagnosed by qPCR during the 2019-2023 period in the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the SELADIS Institute and analyze the possible temporal correlation with the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

An observational, retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted based on the analysis of laboratory records corresponding to patients with suspected extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) evaluated by qPCR between 2019 and 2023 at the Molecular Genetics Laboratory of the SELADIS Institute. A total of 1,048 suspected cases were analyzed, calculating the frequency of positive results per year. Descriptive statistical methods were used to examine annual variations, and analytical statistics were used to explore the possible temporal association between the frequency of EPTB detection and periods of high COVID-19 incidence. A total of 1,048 records of patients with suspected EPTB were analyzed, calculating the proportion of positive results per year. Descriptive statistical methods were applied to examine annual variations in the detection frequency, and analytical statistics were used to evaluate its possible temporal association with critical periods of the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESULTS

In 2020, coinciding with the onset of the pandemic, an increase in the frequency of positive cases was observed (11.11%), reaching a peak in 2021 (15.87%). In 2022, despite an increase in the total number of cases analyzed, the proportion of positive cases decreased to 2.38%. By 2023, the proportion of positive cases stabilized at 4.56%, similar to pre-pandemic levels.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic had a temporary impact on the frequency of EPTB detection, possibly related to the overload of the health system and greater vulnerability to infections during that period. However, this influence appears to have diminished in subsequent years, with the proportion of positive cases returning to levels similar to those observed before the pandemic in 2023.

Keywords : Extrapulmonary tuberculosis; qPCR; COVID-19 pandemic; Epidemiology.

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