Tuberculosis in the elderly

Tuberculosis is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. R ecent studies have suggested that even in the developed world its incidence in the elderly is increasing. Symptoms of active tuberculosis are nonspeci fic and less pronounced in the elderly. Radiological features are more like ly to be 'atypical' in the older subject and skin tests more frequently neg ative. This results in delay in diagnosis and higher mortality from tubercu losis in the aged population. A high degree of clinical suspicion is theref ore required to ensure the diagnosis is not missed and appropriate treatmen t instigated. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.