Definition

• Caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
• Usually affects the lungs but affects other organs in one-third of cases
• Primary tuberculosis (TB)
  • Acute clinical illness directly following infection
• Latent TB
  • Evidence of exposure without active disease
  • Possible persistence of dormant bacilli for years
  • Noninfectious
  • Risk of secondary TB
• Secondary TB
  • Also known as adult-type TB or reactivation TB
  • Reactivation of previously acquired infection
  • Caused by previously dormant bacilli
  • Often infectious

The Harrison's Practice Preview allows you to view 5 FREE complete topics or conduct a search that delivers abstracts for more than 450 medical topics. For full access, please subscribe today!

Login User Name: Password: Forgot your password? Remember Me

About Harrison's Practice Harrison's Practice delivers practical, concise answers to your clinical questions in an innovative and easy-to-navigate format. Available anytime, anywhere on Web, Web Wireless, and PDA, all for one subscription rate! To see a complete, unabridged topic click on any of the Free Topics below: Community-Acquired Pneumonia Cough Status Epilepticus Hypoglycemia Pancreatic Cancer Learn more