Incidence of Tuberculosis in Diabetic Patients

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease, which is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis). The disease is mostly transmitted from person to person, usually by inhaling bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) carrying air droplets. Tuberculosis most commonly affects the lungs, but it can also affect any other organ. The infection doesn`t always result in disease. The human immune cells can check and control pathogens, so that progression to disease only occurs in about 10% of adults. However the bacterial infection may remain latent and can reactive at any time, also after decades if e.g. the immune system is weakened. If left untreated, tuberculosis is a life-threatening illness. Main objective of this study is to highlight incidence and severity of the diabetic patients which can suffer from TB.

The most commonly used diagnostic tool for tuberculosis is a simple skin test or smear microscopy, though blood tests are becoming more commonplace. A small amount of a substance called PPD tuberculin (tuberculin purified protein derivative) is injected just below the skin of your inside forearm. You should feel only a slight needle prick. Another test for tuberculosis (TB) blood test, also called an Interferon Gamma Release Assay could be performed.