Tuberculous peritonitis. Low ascitic fluid glucose concentration as a diagnostic aid.

Five Vietnamese patients with tuberculous peritonitis are described. Fever, x-ray evidence of pulmonary tuberculosis, or positive PPD skin tests were absent in several patients. The diagnosis was considered only when routine paracentesis demonstrated ascitic fluids with increased protein concentrations and lymphocytic pleocytosis. Ascitic fluid glucose concentrations were less than 30 mg./100 cc. in three of five patients.