[Present aspects of peritoneal tuberculosis in Africa (study of 77 cases) (author's transl)]

77 cases of peritoneal tuberculosis recorded in Africa are reported. Ascitic peritonitis is the most frequent clinical form (64 cases). Laparoscopy is the main way, especially in tropical countries, to establish rapidly the diagnosis. Peritoneal white granulations, associated or not to adherences or to a vascular congestion, supported that diagnosis in 68 cases. Laparoscopy allows peritoneal and hepatic biopsies. Systematic peritoneal biopsy was not possible and was performed in 25 patients only with typical tuberculous pathologic lesions in 88 p. 100 of these cases. Hepatic needle biopsy demonstrated the existence of tuberculous follicles in 29.8 p. 100 of the cases and in 12 cases associated lesions such as a macronodular cirrhosis were observed. In spite of a specific treatment 2 patients died of tuberculous dissemination. Control after a long delay was not possible.