Analysis of recent cases of intestinal tuberculosis in Japan.

In Japan, which ranks first among developed countries in the incidence of tuberculosis, intestinal tuberculosis should be regarded as an important disease. However, few studies of this condition have recently been reported. We analyzed nine patients treated at our hospital during and after 2000. Our results differ from those of previous studies in that many of the patients were healthy, not elderly, had primary intestinal tuberculosis and presented with non-gastrointestinal symptoms. All seven patients tested were found to be whole blood interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)-positive. These results suggest that IGRA is useful as an adjunct method for diagnosing intestinal tuberculosis.