Clinical tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease. It is transmitted by Mycobacterium tuberculosis found in the sputum of patients with pulmonary disease. TB is a resurgent disease in the cities of Western Europe; however, in this setting, its epidemiology appears to have changed, with 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 the development of 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.