TUBERCULOUS INFECTION AND PULMONARY TUBER CULOSIS IN THE ADULT

A tuberculous infection is the result of inhalation of tubercle bacill i either in great numbers or in subjects with diminished immunity. Cli nical tuberculosis will only occur in 10 pet cent of subjects followin g a first infection (primary tuberculosis) or subsequently (secondary tuberculosis or by a reactivation of a tuberculous lesion). All the in trathoracic structures may be involved in isolation or in the case of extra thoracic tuberculosis eventually disseminated The clinical manif estations are most often non-specific. The persistence of respiratory symptoms are nevertheless suggestive, above all in a subject belonging to a group at elevated risk of tuberculosis. The radiological aspects may be very suggestive of tuberculosis. The diagnosis of an infection is based on a study of the skin responses to tuberculin and those on tuberculosis on the evidence of the tubercle bacillus.