Peritoneal Tuberculosis With a Challenging Diagnosis: A Case Report

Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant health concern worldwide and its incidence is increasing in developed countries. Extra-pulmonary TB, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, is often a difficult and delayed diagnosis because it can mimic metastasis or infection. Diagnostic problems can delay appropriate treatment and play a role in TB transmission. We report a case of extra-pulmonary TB that has affected the gastrointestinal tract of a 34-year-old patient residing in Iran. The patient was admitted to the surgical department 6 months before the visit with a complaint of vague abdominal pain and was discharged without any specific diagnosis. The patient presented with pulmonary symptoms during the visit and was hospitalized. All laboratory tests were negative for TB in the patient. Finally, a laparoscopic biopsy confirmed peritoneal TB infection. This case report shows the risk of misdiagnosis in patients and consequently delay in starting appropriate treatment, which may lead to the death of the patient.