[Pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly]

Clinical problems of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly patients were discussed. As for diagnosing tests, chest X ray sometimes shows atypical findings in patients with pre-existing pulmonary diseases (i.e. pulmonary emphysema, interstitial pneumonia and etc). It is most important to get bacteriologic evidence from suspected patients of pulmonary tuberculosis. Elderly patients have co-existing diseases except pulmonary tuberculosis. Controlling co-existing diseases is essential for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly patients. Treatment with standard chemotherapy leads to good result even in the elderly. However, we have to investigate the mechanism of rush cases, who dies in a few months in spite of adequate chemotherapy.