TB Research

A Case Report of Tuberculous Peritonitis with Negative GeneXpert and Positive Metagenomic Sequencing Results

Jinjin Yan, Huilin Yang, Wei Zhang, Yu Li, Yu Xue, Zibo Xiong, Chenyan Shi, Yunlong Hu

Infection and Drug Resistance · 2026-01

Abstract

Abstract: A 65-year-old male patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis was diagnosed with Mycobacterium tuberculosis -related peritonitis. Initial diagnostic tests, including acid-fast smear of ascites, GeneXpert test, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture, yielded negative results. However, metagenomic capture sequencing (metaCAP) and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) identified the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . The patient was subsequently treated with standard anti-tuberculosis therapy, leading to clinical improvement. This case highlights the utility of advanced molecular diagnostics in identifying atypical pathogens in peritoneal dialysis-related infections. Keywords: tuberculous peritonitis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis , next-generation sequencing, GeneXpert

MeSH terms

  • GeneXpert MTB/RIF
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Medicine
  • Tuberculosis
  • Metagenomics
  • Mycobacterium
  • Tuberculosis diagnosis
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
  • Peritonitis
  • Microbiology
  • Tuberculous peritonitis
  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Peritoneal fluid