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Pulmonary tuberculosis
Definition:
Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). The lungs are primarily involved, but the infection can spread to other organs. Alternative Names:
TB; Tuberculosis - pulmonary; Consumption
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Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Tuberculosis can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air from a cough or sneeze by someone infected with M. tuberculosis. The disease is characterized by the development of granulomas (granular tumors) in the infected tissues. The usual site of the disease is the lungs, but other organs may be involved. The primary stage of the infection is usually asymptomatic (without symptoms). In the United States, the majority of people will recover from primary TB infection without further evidence of the disease. Primary pulmonary TB develops in the minority of people whose immune systems do not successfully contain the primary infection. In this case, the disease may occur within weeks after the primary infection. TB may also lie dormant for years and reappear after the initial infection is contained. Infants, the elderly, and individuals who are immunocompromised -- for example, those with AIDS, those undergoing chemotherapy, or transplant recipients taking antirejection medications -- are at higher risk for progression to disease or reactivation of dormant disease. In pulmonary TB, the extent of the disease can vary from minimal to massive involvement. Without effective therapy, the disease becomes progressively worse.
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