Pulmonary tuberculosis

Alternative Names

TB; Tuberculosis - pulmonary

Symptoms

• Limited to minor cough and mild fever, if apparent
• Fatigue
• Unintentional weight loss
• Coughing up blood
• Fever and night sweats
• Phlegm-producing cough

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Wheezing
• Excessive sweating, especially at night
• Chest pain
• Breathing difficulty

Exams and Tests

Examination of the lungs by stethoscope can reveal crackles (unusual breath sounds). Enlarged or tender lymph nodes may be present in the neck or other areas. Fluid may be detectable around a lung. Clubbing of the fingers or toes may be present.

Tests may include:

• Chest x-ray
• Sputum cultures
• Tuberculin skin test
• Bronchoscopy
• Thoracentesis
• Chest CT
• Interferon-gamma blood test such as the QFT-Gold test
• Biopsy of the affected tissue (rare)

References

Ferrara G, Losi M, Meacci M, et al. Routine Hospital Use of a New Commercial Whole Blood Interferon-(gamma) Assay for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis Infection. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2005 Sep 1;172(5):631-5. Epub 2005 Jun 16.

US Centers for Disease Control. Treatment of Tuberculosis. MMWR 2003; 52.

Diagnostic Standards: Classification of TB in Adults and Children. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2000; 161.