title: Tuberculous peritonitis.
abstract: Two patients with tuberculous peritonitis are described to exemplify some of the diagnostic problems that may be encountered in this rare disease. Both presented with fever, abdominal pain and a deterioration in their general condition. In both cases Ziehl-Neelsen staining and animal inoculation were negative. In the first patient, who underwent repeated hospitalization and investigation, the diagnosis was established following a therapeutic trial with antituberculous drugs administered after unsuccessful treatment of a cecocutaneous fistula that developed after drainage of a periappendicular abscess and appendectomy. In the second patient, the diagnosis was confirmed at laparatomy. Since bacteriological studies often fail to render a positive diagnosis, it is suggested that the clinical picture together with a histological finding compatible with tuberculous peritonitis should be sufficient for diagnosis and the institution of treatment.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014395:Peritonitis, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*