TUBERCULAR LYMPH NODE –AN UPDATE

Abstract

Tuberculosis, one of the oldest diseases known to affect humans, is caused by bacteria belonging
to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.The disease remains a major global public health
problem. It is estimated that about one-third of the world’s population is infected
with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. There were an estimated 8 million new cases of TB, resulting
in 1.9 million deaths, with the greatest burden of disease in developing nations [1–3].The disease
usually affects the lungs, although in up to one third of cases other organs are involved. If proper
treated, tuberculosis caused by drug susceptible strains is curable in virtually all cases. If
untreated, the disease may be fatal within 5 years in more than half of cases. Transmission usually
takes place through the airborne spread of droplet nuclei produced by patients with infectious
tuberculosis.War, famine, homelessness, and a lack of medical care all contribute to the increasing
incidence of tuberculosis among disadvantaged persons. Since TB is easily transmissible between
persons, then the increase in TB in any segment of the population represents a threat to all
segments of the population. This means that it is important to institute and maintain appropriate
public health measures, including screening, vaccination (where deemed of value), and treatment.
A laxity of public health measures will contribute to an increase in cases. Failure of adequate
treatment promotes the development of resistant strains of tuberculosis