What is military tuberculosis?
Miliary tuberculosis is a potentially life-threatening type of tuberculosis that occurs when a large number of the bacteria travel through the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. is a contagious infection caused by the airborne bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
What is the cause of miliary tuberculosis?
Miliary TB is a potentially fatal form of TB that results from massive lymphohematogenous dissemination of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli. The epidemiology of miliary TB has been altered by the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and widespread use of immunosuppressive drugs.
Who is at risk for miliary TB?
Children younger than 5 years who acquire miliary TB are more likely to develop life-threatening miliary and/or meningeal TB. The disease usually follows primary infection, with no or only a short latency period. Adults older than 65 years have a higher risk of miliary TB.
Which organs are affected by TB?
Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. A person with TB can die if they do not get treatment.
Does TB leave scar lungs?
Patients who present with advanced pulmonary tuberculosis may have considerable residual lung damage even after they are treated and cured. Scarring of the lungs, volume loss, and bronchiectasis are all common in patients who present with extensive disease at the time of diagnosis.
Do lungs regenerate after tuberculosis?
The resulting lung infection is called primary TB. Most people recover from primary TB infection without further evidence of the disease. The infection may stay inactive (dormant) for years. In some people, it becomes active again (reactivates).
Why is tuberculosis (TB) so difficult to control in the military?
The control of TB within communal settings such as military units represents a significant challenge due to the close quarters of operating environments and living conditions. This is exemplified within naval ships and submarines where crews live and work in crowded, enclosed spaces.
What are the causes of miliary tuberculosis?
Causes of miliary TB. TB is caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It’s contagious and is transmitted when someone with an active TB infection in their lung releases the bacteria into the air by coughing or sneezing, and someone else inhales it. It can stay airborne for a few hours.
What is pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)?
Pulmonary TB (defined in the UK as including the lung parenchyma, pleura and mediastinal lymph nodes) is the predominant form of the disease and accounts for up to 80% of all cases in HIV-negative individuals.
What is the prevalence of miliary tuberculosis (TB)?
Miliary tuberculosis is present in about 2% of all reported cases of tuberculosis and accounts for up to 20% of all extra-pulmonary tuberculosis cases. Patients with miliary tuberculosis often experience non-specific signs, such as coughing and enlarged lymph nodes.