Status and outlook of pulmonary tuberculosis coinfection

Coinfections with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) occur in people with damaged lung structures, chronic malnutrition, and those with compromised immunity. Moreover, it is a common clinical challenge that leads to poor clinical outcomes and contributes to increased morbidity and mortality in patients with TB. Coinfection in the lungs can prolong hospital stay and increase the cost of treatment for TB patients, which imposes a heavy burden on families and society. Therefore, pulmonary TB (PTB) combined with pulmonary infections should be diagnosed and treated promptly. This review describes trends in epidemiology and other factors that influence the incidence of PTB coinfection. Current and emerging diagnoses well as infection treatments are discussed.