Case Report

False-Positive Amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis Direct Tests in Skin Specimens of Leprosy

Authors: Thomas S. Breza Jr, MD, James M. Magill Jr, MD, Na’im K. Fanaian, MD, Francisco A. Ramos-Caro, MD

Abstract

The amplified Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M tuberculosis) direct test (MTD) is reported to be a highly sensitive (92.6%) and specific (100%) test for the detection of M tuberculosis. We report two cases of human leprosy in which false-positive amplified MTD testing on skin biopsies led to initial misdiagnoses of cutaneous M tuberculosis.

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