Diagnosing Pulmonary Tuberculosis in the Elderly

AbstractPurpose of ReviewPulmonary tuberculosis (TB) remains a diagnostic challenge, particularly in low endemic settings with ageing populations. The impact has both individual and infection control implications.Recent FindingsOver the past 20  years, progress has been made in trying to improve TB diagnostics. International recommendations for investigation however still rely heavily on the index of suspicion, imaging and ultimately culturingMycobacterium tuberculosis which remains the gold standard for diagnosing TB disease. Recent advances include molecular diagnostics with the ability to rapidly identify TB disease and drug resistance and whole-genome sequencing.SummaryIn this review, we explore the validity of TB diagnostics in the elderly to assist the practicing clinician in the diagnostic workup in this population.
Source: Current Geriatrics Reports - Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research