Post-tuberculosis pulmonary function and noninfectious pulmonary disorders

Publication date: Available online 20 September 2016 Source:International Journal of Mycobacteriology Author(s): Muhammad Irfan Tuberculosis (TB) is among the top infectious causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is associated with frequent pulmonary damage despite microbiological cure. Patients with treated TB may remain lifelong sufferers of disabling structural and functional sequelae of the disease, which subsequently impair quality of life. Long-term follow-up studies have revealed that many patients with treated pulmonary TB show signs of permanent impairment of their lung function. Impairment is variable in pattern and severity, ranging from none to severe, and shows restrictive, obstructive, or mixed patterns. Patients who presented with recurrent tuberculosis had a 2.8–3.0-fold higher likelihood of developing abnormal lung function at the end of treatment than those with a first episode of TB. A variety of noninfectious pulmonary disorders are also common in post-TB patients. (1) Parenchymal disorders that include thin-walled cavities (open negative syndrome), and lung fibrosis with structural destruction and scar carcinoma. (2) Airway disorders that include subglottic stenosis, chronic obstructive air flow obstruction, bronchiectasis, tracheobronchial stenosis, anthracofibrosis, and broncholithiasis. (3) Vascular lesions such as Rasmussen aneurysm. (4) Pleural lesions that range from pleural thickening to severe fibrothorax. (5) General complications t...
Source: International Journal of Mycobacteriology - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research