Tuberculous Peritonitis

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When an abdominal lymph gland ruptures, which is infested with TB, the TB bacteria will spread all through the abdominal cavity and cause this life threatening condition. A ruptured cyst from a tuberculous salpingo-oophoritis (infection of ovary and fallopian tube) can also cause tuberculous peritonitis.

Symptoms involve abdominal pain, which is usually not as severe as with other forms of bacterial peritonitis. The surgeon will do a diagnostic paracentesis as well as a peritoneal biopsy during a subsequent laparoscopy.

A positive tuberculin skin test in combination with granulomas found on biopsy would make the diagnosis. On the other hand a positive test of the commercially available polymerase chain reaction to TB would be more rapid and very specific.

Treatment with a combination antituberculous drug regimen will very quickly stabilize and cure the patient.

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

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Last Modified: Feb. 10, 2012