Peritoneal tuberculosis: what diagnostic tool

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis remains difficult, especially in countries of low prevalence of the disease. Despite the availability of a number of minimally invasive diagnostic methods, laparoscopy is often necessary. CASE REPORT: A 28-year-old female patient presents with abundant ascites and fever. The tuberculin skin test and the culture of the ascitic fluid were negative. The diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis was made by laparoscopy and isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by culture from peritoneal biopsies. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal tuberculosis is a common cause of exudative ascites in developed countries and the leading cause in developing countries. Although non-invasive methods provide strong presumption, the definitive diagnosis usually requires laparoscopy, which is the safest method to get bacteriological evidence.