Objective:Tuberculosis continues to be an important health problem in the world.Despite the widespread impression that abdominal tuberculosis is rare today,the disease is still endemic in developing world and is reemerging in the West.The aim is to review our local experience with tuberculous peritonitis.Methods:Between January 2000 and December 2006,the case records of histologically documented tuberculous peritonitis (TBP) diagnosed and treated at the tuberculosis coordinating center in Erbil city,Iraq were reviewed.Comparisons were made with pulmonary tuberculosis patients regarding socio-demographic,clinical and laboratory findings.Results:Forty one cases of TBP were diagnosed during the study period.Their age range was 26-72 years(46±17),with a male:female ratio of 1.5;1.The median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 6 weeks(range;10 days to 18 months.).Eleven patients(26.8%) had comorbid conditions and 6 patients (14.6%) had a history of positive contact with Tuberculosis(TB) case.Presenting symptoms were abdominal distension(70%),abdominal pain(65%),fever(68%),anorexia(65%) and weight loss(44%).Four patients had pulmonary symptoms;cough and/ dyspnoea(n= 2 ) and cough(n= 2).Chest X-ray changes consistent with pulmonary tuberulosis(PTB) were seen in 25%.Tuberculous peritonitis was diagnosed by laparoscopy (n=29) and laparotomy(n= 12).Adverse effects of TB drugs occurred in nearly 40%,consisting of hepatitis(n= 2),nausea/vomiting(n= 11),rash(n = 2) and encephalopathy(n = 1).Hemoglobin and serum albumin levels were significantly lower in tuberculous peritonitis(TBP)TBP patients(P =0.027 and 0. 003,respectively).There was a significantly greater occurrence of adverse effects(P<0.001) in TBP patients. No significant differences between TBP and PTB were demonstrated in regard to age and sex distribution, non-specific symptoms(fever,weight loss,and anorexia) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.All were treated with standard regimens and responded to treatment.Conclusion:Tuberculous peritonitis is prevalent in our population.Therefore.TBP should be considered in patients presenting with abdominal symptoms and nonspecific constitutional symptoms,particularly in young patients.Laparoscopy and laparotomy with tissue biopsy was the specific diagnostic procedure. Objective: Tuberculosis continues to be an important health problem in the world.Despite thetense impression that abdominal tuberculosis is rare today, the disease is still endemic in developing world and is reemerging in the West. Aim is to review our local experience with tuberculous peritonitis. Methods: Between January 2000 and December 2006, the case records of histologically documented tuberculous peritonitis (TBP) diagnosed and treated at the tuberculosis coordinating center in Erbil city, Iraq were reviewed. Comparisons were made with pulmonary tuberculosis patients regarding socio-demographic, Clinical and laboratory findings. Results: Forty one cases of TBP were diagnosed during the study period. The age range was 26-72 years (46 ± 17), with a male: female ratio of 1.5; 1. The median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 6 weeks (range; 10 days to 18 months.) Eleven patients (26.8%) had comorbid conditions and 6 patients (14.6%) had a history of positive contact with Tuberculosis ( Four patients had pulmonary symptoms; cough and / dyspnoea (70%), abdominal pain (65%), fever (68%), anorexia (n = 2) and cough (n = 2). Chest X-ray changes consistent with pulmonary tuberulosis (PTB) were seen in 25%. Tuberculous peritonitis was diagnosed by laparoscopy (n = 29) and laparotomy (n = 12). Adverse effects of TB drugs occurred in nearly 40%, consisting of hepatitis (n = 2), nausea / vomiting (n = 11), rash (n = 2) and encephalopathy no significant differences between TBP and PTB were demonstrated in regard to adverse effects (P <0.001) in TBP patients (P = 0.027 and 0.003, respectively) to age and sex distribution, non-specific symptoms (fever, weight loss, and anorexia) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. All were treated with standard regimens and responded to treatment. C onclusion: Tuberculous peritonitis is prevalent in our population. TBC should be considered in patients presenting with abdominal symptoms and nonspecific constitutional symptoms, particularly in young patients. Laparoscopy and laparotomy with tissue biopsy was the specific diagnostic procedure.