Recurrent pericardial effusion: the value of polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of tuberculosis

A 23 year old army man presented with progressive dyspnoea and was found to have a massive pericardial effusion. Despite extensive investigations the cause remained elusive, until samples were sent for polymerase chain reacti on (PCR). This case was unusual for several reasons and is a reminder of th e atypical way in which tuberculosis infection and present and how a high i ndex of suspicion should be maintained. It shows the importance of molecula r biological advances in providing simple and rapid methods for arriving at the correct diagnosis, by way of nucleic acid probes and polymerase chain reaction.