Non-pulmonary tuberculosis and mycobacterial infection

Tuberculosis (TB) can affect any part of the body, and non-pulmonary TB accounted for 43% of notifications in England and Wales in 2007. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria can also cause non-pulmonary infection, including lymphadenitis and cutaneous disease. Diagnosis of non-pulmonary mycobacterial infection requires high-quality clinical specimens and relies on microscopy, culture, and molecular techniques. Treatment may involve a longer duration of therapy than for pulmonary TB, and may be less successful.