Peritoneal tuberculosis: modern peril for an ancient disease

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Extrapulmonary tuberculosis, particularly tuberculous peritonitis (TBP), poses significant diagnostic challenges.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) can manifest in rare, extrapulmonary ways, complicating diagnosis.
• The incidence of tuberculosis is declining in developed countries, potentially leading to overlooked diagnoses.

Observation:

• Tuberculous peritonitis is a rare manifestation of MTB with subtle clinical findings.
• Diagnostic delays for TBP often exceed four months.
• Clinicians may overlook TBP in regions with declining tuberculosis incidence.

Findings:

• This case report and literature review highlight the diagnostic difficulties associated with tuberculous peritonitis.
• The subtle nature of TBP symptoms contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
• A high index of suspicion is necessary for early TBP detection.

Implications:

• Prompt diagnosis and therapy for TBP are essential for favorable patient outcomes.
• Increased awareness among clinicians is needed to address diagnostic delays in TBP.
• Further research may elucidate more effective diagnostic strategies for extrapulmonary tuberculosis.