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Boarding issue in a commercial flight for patients with cavitary pulmonary tuberculosis: A case report
Woori Jo1, Chuiyong Pak1, Yangjin Jegal1
1Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Ulsan 44033, South Korea.
Background:
Several studies have demonstrated that airborne transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria from patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) to other passengers or crew members can occur during long flights. As such, non-infectious TB patients are usually allowed to undertake air travel after taking the appropriate anti-TB drugs. However, the global guidelines for air travel for patients with TB are inconsistent and insufficiently detailed with respect to cavitary pulmonary TB (CPTB).
Case Summary:
Here, we report a case in which a patient with multiple CPTB was permitted air travel, following negative sputum acid-fast bacilli smear tests after administration of proper anti-TB medication. The patient's culture results were pending.
Conclusion:
This case revealed that more specific guidelines regulating air travel for patients with CPTB are necessary.
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