title: Analysis of cases with tuberculous peritonitis: a single-center experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tuberculous peritonitis (TP) is a rare form of tuberculosis and is caused by peritoneal involvement with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A distinctive correlation exists between socioeconomic state and disease prevalence. We aimed to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and radiological ﬁndings of patients with TP.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study in patients with peritoneal tuberculosis from January 2004 to October 2008 at Yuzuncu Yil University Medical School Education and Research Hospital. During this time, the data of 21 patients (17 females) with TP were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fever, abdominal pain, and anorexia were the most common symptoms. An analysis of ascites showed lymphocyte predominance and low albumin gradient in all patients. Patients with TP had a median ascites adenosine deaminase (ADA) level of 139 U/L (range, 25 to 303U/L). Peritoneal involvement (wet peritonitis) was seen in all the cases. Following 6-month administration of combined anti-TBC treatment, mean serum CA-125 levels were within the normal range among patients who had previously higher serum CA-125 level. Mortality rate in the total cases was 4.6%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Peritoneal tuberculosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of exudative ascites in eastern Turkey. A high level of suspicion is required, especially in high-risk populations living in rural areas. ADA seems to be a sufﬁcient, safe, and inexpensive method to perform the diagnosis of peritoneal tuberculosis. Serum CA-125 levels may play a key role to support the diagnosis as well as disease management of TP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey.
authors.forename: A Cumhur
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Dülger
authors.forename: Sevdegül
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karadaş
authors.forename: Rafet
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mete
authors.forename: M Kürşat
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Türkdoğan
authors.forename: Davut
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Demirkıran
authors.forename: Bilge
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gültepe
mesh_terms: D000243:Adenosine Deaminase / Q000378:metabolism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001201:Ascites / Q000201:enzymology / Q000382:microbiology; D018394:CA-125 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014395:Peritonitis, Tuberculous / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D018394:CA-125 Antigen; D000243:Adenosine Deaminase