Symptoms and signs of active tuberculosis (TB) depend on its anatomical
location. Pulmonary disease is the most common presentation of tuberculosis in the
adult patient (more than 80% of the cases in the immunocompetent patient). Signs and
symptoms can appear after just a few weeks from the primary infection, or many years
later due to the reactivation of latent disease anywhere in the body.
Symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis are nonspecific and may occur in many other
pulmonary conditions; however, in high-burden regions, they remain a valuable tool for
initial screening.
Signs and symptoms of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) are protean, and chest xrays
of the chest frequently do not show abnormalities. TB lymphadenitis is the most
common form of EPTB, especially in children and young individuals.
Miliary tuberculosis is characterized by the presence of disseminated innumerable
small nodules. It is secondary to the hematogenous spread of the bacilli throughout the
body after the primary infection or the reactivation of a latent focus.
Although TB can involve any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, the ileocecal region
is the most frequently affected. It is due to the ingestion of milk or milk products
contaminated with M. bovis, the swallowing of secretions infected with M.
tuberculosis, hematogenous dissemination of active TB disease, or from direct spread
from contiguous organs.
Central nervous system tuberculosis is a consequence of hematogenous dissemination
and the most severe form of the disease, with high morbimortality.
Keywords: Extrapulmonary, Lymphadenitis, Meningeal, Osteomyelitis,
Pulmonary, Pericardial, Renal, Tuberculosis.Extrapulmonary, Lymphadenitis, Meningeal, Osteomyelitis,
Pulmonary, Pericardial, Renal, Tuberculosis.
