[Challenges in diagnostics for intestinal tuberculosis - Pitfalls of a forgotten infectious disease: case series and literature review]. / Herausforderungen in der Diagnostik der Darmtuberkulose ­ Pitfalls einer vergessenen infektiösen Erkrankung: Eine Fallserie und Literaturübersicht.

ABSTRACT

Intestinal tuberculosis is an infectious disease of the extrapulmonary manifestation with the Mycobacteria tuberculosis complex. In developed countries, this disease is rarely seen. The clinical features are heterogeneous and unspecific. Furthermore, intestinal tuberculosis poses diagnostic challenges. Regarding intestinal tuberculosis the Ziehl-Neelsen staining for acid-fast bacillus, PCR examination and culture methods show only poor sensitivity and specificity. In this case series, we present three patients suffering from intestinal tuberculosis, who were diagnosed and treated successfully. Furthermore, we review the literature about the pitfalls of the diagnostic approaches and the treatment options of intestinal tuberculosis.