[Ascites].

Abstract

A 53 year old Italian with aethylic cirrhosis of the liver was hospitalized repeatedly over the last years because of recurrent ascites. During the last episode with fever, acute abdominal pain, exsudative ascites and elevated CRP spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was suspected and the patient was treated with antibiotics. Although the therapy was carried out correctly it had no effects on the symptoms. Finally the examination of ascites and matutinal sputum revealed mycobacterium tuberculosis and pulmonary and peritoneal tuberculosis was diagnosed. Tuberculostatic therapy was initiated with ethambutol, rifampicin and isoniacid adapted to impaired hepatic and renal function.