Epidemiology of Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a life-threatening bacterial disease that is prevalent in several regions of the world. TB usually manifests with pulmonary infection. However, other areas of the body can be affected. The main risk factors for acquiring TB include immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus, lung disease, end-stage renal disease, gastrectomy, malnutrition, tobacco smoking and drug use. Worldwide, the most important risk factor for TB is human immunodeficiency virus infection. Tuberculous lymphadenitis, pleuritis, and spondylodiscitis are the most common forms of extrapulmonary TB. Although central nervous system infections are increasingly rare, they are one of the most devastating clinical forms of TB.