Peritoneal tuberculosis, a differential diagnosis for ascites in cirrhosis

Abstract

This is the case of a patient with a history of chronic alcohol consumption, who consulted for nonspecific abdominal pain, intermittent fever, and weight loss, with subsequent increase in the abdominal perimeter. Ascites and imaging findings suggestive of cirrhosis were found. The study of ascitic fluid was non-hyperten-sive with a predominance of lymphocytes and elevated adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels. Ultrasound and abdominal tomography showed peritoneal thickening. Laparoscopic peritoneal biopsy was compatible with granulomatous disease, with positive PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a patient with no other causes of immunosuppression. This report shows the importance of keeping a high index of suspicion for TB in patients with abdominal pathology, even in those without evident inmunocompromise.