[The value of mycobacteria serology in the diagnosis of tubercular hepatitis].

The causes of granulomatous hepatitis are often difficult to determine and standard diagnosis methods for tuberculous hepatitis lack sensitivity, which led us to evaluate the contribution of mycobacteria serology. The case is reported of a woman in whom a diagnosis of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis had been made on two occasions (1985, 1987) in the presence of granulomatous hepatitis. Liver histology remained identical in 1991 but the existence of positive mycobacteria serology led to the start of antituberculous treatment. The satisfactory response in terms of clinical, laboratory and histological findings confirmed this diagnostic hypothesis. When search for the etiology of granulomatous hepatitis proves negative, positive mycobacteria serology is sufficient to justify specific antituberculous treatment.