Clinical tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease transmitted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis found in the sputum of patients with pulmonary disease. TB has re-emerged in the cities of Western Europe with a change in its clinical epidemiology to an increased proportion of extra-pulmonary disease. It is, therefore, important that clinicians are aware of its manifestations and treatment. There is increasing concern about drug-resistant tuberculosis, but with careful assessment and treatment it appears that drug-resistant tuberculosis can be controlled. In sub-Saharan Africa there is a tuberculosis epidemic, driven by co-infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The impact of HIV on TB patients needs to be carefully evaluated and management adjusted accordingly.