Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease. Tuberculosis can involve any organ in the body. When tuberculosis involves lungs it is called Pulmonary tuberculosis.It is caused by bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).DOTS is a strategy used to reduce the number of tuberculosis (TB) cases. In DOTS, healthcare workers observe patients as they take their medicine.Tests to be done for tuberculosis are :
Sputum examination for AFB(Acid Fast Bacilli) and cultures & drug sensitivity for MTB
Chest x-ray
Chest CT scan
Bronchoscopy
Thoracentesis
Biopsy of the affected tissue
Tuberculin skin test (also called a PPD test)
Newer rapid diagnostic tools for detection of MDR TB
Newer tools under evaluation for diagnosis of MDR/XDR TB