Diagnosis and Medical Treatment of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
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Abstract
Tuberculosis is an important public health problem and the second leading cause of death worldwide, killing nearly 2 million people each year. Pulmonary tuberculosis will continue to be a major killer and a constant threat in Korea, too. The definitive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is established based on a culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but rapid diagnosis of infectious tuberculosis by simple sputum smear for acid-fast bacilli remains an important tool, and more robust molecular techniques are of promise. The two main goals of the treatment of tuberculosis are to cure the individual patients and to minimize the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to other persons. Treatment with several drugs for 6 months or more can cure the disease in more than 95% of cases. Systematic monitoring of treatment outcomes is essential to effective treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. The proportion of patients diagnosed and treated effectively has increased greatly over the past decade but is still far short of global targets. Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis poses a growing threat to the global tuberculosis control. Recent advances in microbial genetics and host immunity can provide an opportunity for renewed investigation of this persistent threat to the human health.