Frequency and Diagnostic Criteria of Tuberculous Ascites in Port Sudan

Background: Tuberculosis is an infectious caseating granulomatous disease that cause by mycobacterium mainly mycobacterium tuberculosis and mycobacterium bovis, it is a systemic disease that effect any body organ, but mainly affect the lung. EHO classified tuberculosis into pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis, the latter represent about 25% of tuberculosis cases, but in Port Sudan- eastern Sudan the area of this study extrapulmonary tuberculosis represent more than 50% of detected tuberculous cases. Abdominal tuberculosis is the second type of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in this area and ascites is the commonest presentation of abdominal tuberculosis, despite wide spread still tuberculous ascites in this area diagnosed on clinical suspension and no solid subjective diagnostic tool used in this area because of constrained facilities. In presence of many differential diagnosis and causes of ascites in this area which are facing same diagnostic problems; studies are needed to avoid both delayed or over diagnosis. The aims of this study are to study the features of tuberculous ascites in Port Sudan- eastern Sudan and to elicit specific diagnostic criteria to avoid delayed or over diagnosis.Objectives: The aims of this study are to study the clinical, radiological and laboratory features of tuberculous ascites in Port Sudan- eastern Sudan and to elicit specific diagnostic criteria to avoid delayed or over diagnosis. Which is done in TB referred clinic in Port Sudan chest hospital in period from January 2023 to June 2023 in which 32 tuberculous ascites patients are enrolled.Methodology: This is prospective cross section hospital base study. Result: From 224 patients presented to Tb referred clinic in Port Sudan chest hospital during study period 32 patients (14.3%) was diagnosed as tuberculous ascites. M: F was 3:1. All cases are mild to moderate exudative ascites with normal or slightly elevated liver enzyme and hypoalbuminemia, with no significant variation between immunosuppressive and immunocompetent patients.Conclusion: Tuberculous ascites a serious presentation of tuberculosis specially if it associated with hypoalbuminemia and it is the commonest presentation of abdominal tuberculosis in Port Sudan – eastern Sudan, and it is the commonest cause of ascites in this area. It is usually occurring as primary tuberculous lesion presented as mild to moderate exudative ascites.