Pathogens
Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Precautions

See 'Additional Information'

Susceptibilities

General Information

Acid fast bacillus.

Latent disease believed to affect >20% of world population.

The greatest known risk factor for progression of latent infection to active tuberculosis is HIV infection.

Pulmonary:

  • Cavitating pneumonia
  • Upper lobe pnuemonia
  • Occasionally miliary

Extrapulmonary:

  • Lymph node disease
  • CNS infection
  • Osteomyelitis (Potts)
  • Peritoneal
  • Others

Precautions:

  • Extrapulmonary, no draining lesions: Airborne contact until pulmonary TB ruled out with negative induced sputum testing
  • Extrapulmonary, with draining lesions: Routine, Airborne if drainage 
  • Pulmonary-confirmed or suspected or laryngeal disease: Airborne
  • Positive tuberculin skin test with no evidence of active
    disease: Routine practices

Caseating granulomas on pathology.

MDR includes rifampin and isoniazid resistance.

Notify public health.