Tuberculosis: an overview of pathogenesis and prevention

Tuberculosis in the United States is primarily caused by M. tuberculosis which relies on the human host for survival. The decrease in prevalence means that there is an increased number of individuals who are susceptible to infection and tuberculin disease. Today's health care providers need to be aware of the conditions and situations that enhance the development of tuberculosis and its subsequent spread. This article offers an overview of the disease process and some problems inherent in dealing with the disease. Preventive methods are presented with the hope that health care workers will be more attuned to the potential problems of tuberculosis despite its low prevalence.