Current Medical Management of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a common cause of infection and disease in much of the world. The majority of disease occurs from reactivation months or years after initial infection and most often involves the lungs. Sputum smears for acid-fast bacilli remain the initial diagnostic test but have limited sensitivity and specificity. Nucleic acid amplification tests are more sensitive and specific and can detect some mutations that cause drug resistance. Treatment of TB resistant to rifamycins alone or in combination with isoniazid and other drugs remains difficult and should be done in consultation with an expert in treating drug-resistant disease.