ID4U Episode 1 Tuberculosis Part 1

In Part 1, Dr. Jess Pelletier speaks with Dr. Moses Kitakule about tuberculosis: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnosis.

Take-Home Points:

• TB is a pathogen impacting only humans which infects about ⅓ of the globe
• Most cases of TB are latent and asymptomatic, but TB can reactivate at any time, particularly if a host becomes immunocompromised or highly exposed to TB
• Patients with active pulmonary TB may have fevers, night sweats, weight loss, cough lasting more than 3 weeks, hemoptysis, dyspnea, or fatigue, but older adults and those with immune compromise may be asymptomatic or present atypically
• Imaging abnormalities on chest x-ray, POCUS, or CT should be seen in active TB (but not always in immunocompromised hosts)
• Diagnostic testing in the ED should involve sending sputum AFB smea ...