Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease caused by the bacillus mycobacterium tuberculosis, often accompanied by fever and a loss of appetite. It is primarily an infection of the lungs, but any organ system is susceptible, so its manifestations may be varied.

Industry: Health care

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Tuberculosis

gastric aspirate

Health care; Tuberculosis

A procedure sometimes used to obtain a specimen for culture when a patient cannot cough up adequate sputum. A tube is inserted through the mouth or nose and into the stomach to recover sputum that ...

high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter

Health care; Tuberculosis

A specialized filter that is capable of removing 99.97% of particles 30.3 mm in diameter and that may assist in controlling the transmission of M. tuberculosis. Filters may be used in ventilation ...

human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

Health care; Tuberculosis

Infection with the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV infection is the most important risk factor for the progression of latent TB infection to active TB.

immunosuppressed

Health care; Tuberculosis

A condition in which the immune system is not functioning normally (e.g., severe cellular immunosuppression resulting from HIV infection or immunosuppressive therapy). Immunosuppressed persons are at ...

induration

Health care; Tuberculosis

An area of swelling produced by an immune response to an antigen. In tuberculin skin testing or anergy testing, the diameter of the indurated area is measured 48-72 hours after the injection, and the ...

infection

Health care; Tuberculosis

The condition in which organisms capable of causing disease (e.g., M. tuberculosis) enter the body and elicit a response from the host' s immune defenses. TB infection may or may not lead to ...

infectious

Health care; Tuberculosis

Capable of transmitting infection. When persons who have clinically active pulmonary or laryngeal TB disease cough or sneeze, they can expel droplets containing M. tuberculosis into the air. Persons ...