Intestinal tuberculosis in Iraq: a study of 50 cases

Fifty cases of histologically proven intestinal tuberculosis are presented. Although intestinal tuberculosis is declining in Iraq, it is still a common condition affecting the bowel. Most of the lesions were primary and usually of bovine origin. The peak age incidence was between 30-39 years. Sexes were equally affected. The clinical presentation is usually intestinal obstruction, less commonly abdominal malignancy, malabsorption, or appendicular mass. All patients were explored and resection was carried out in 40; all were given antituberculous chemotherapy. The results are very satisfactory in the 47 patients that continued chemotherapy for over one year.