Tuberculosis in old age

Czech version

Authors: M. Vlachová
Authors‘ workplace: Geriatrická klinika 1. LF UK a VFN Praha
Published in: Geriatrie a Gerontologie 2015, 4, č. 1: 26-30
Category: Review Article

Overview

Tuberculosis (TB) is second only to HIV/AIDS as the greatest infectious disease killer worldwide despite its decreasing incidence. Elderly population is the largest reservoir of TB in developed countries, which was primarily infected before era of vaccination, antitubeculous drugs and existence of resistent types of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Polymorbid frail residents of long term care facilities are in greatest risk for reactivation of latent TB. Diagnostics and treatment are difficult in old age due to frequent atypical clinical signs and adverse reactions of antituberculous drugs. Therefore post mortem diagnosis is very often. Considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis remains the cornerstone of a fast and accurate diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Keywords:
tuberculosis – latent tuberculosis – old age – long term care facility

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Article was published in

Geriatrics and Gerontology

2015 Issue 1