Multicenter evaluation of the AFB smear, mycobacterial culture, Xpert MTB/RIF assay and adenosine deaminase for the diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis in China.

•The sensitivity and specificity of the adenosine deaminase test for the early diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis were high.•Mycobacterial culture and the Xpert assay had poor sensitivity in peritoneal effusion samples.•In addition, the adenosine deaminase concentration was directly correlated with the mycobacterial load.