Tuberculosis is caused by a group of organisms Mycobacterium
tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum and a few other rarer
subtypes. Tuberculosis usually appears as a lung (pulmonary)
infection. However, it may infect other organs in the body.
Recently, antibiotic-resistant strains of tuberculosis have
appeared. With increasing numbers of immunocompromised individuals
with AIDS, and homeless people without medical care, tuberculosis
is seen more frequently today. (Image courtesy of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.)
Review Date: 06/09/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor
in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine,
Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine,
Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
