Tuberculosis and the atypical pneumonia syndrome. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Tuberculosis and the atypical pneumonia syndrome.

Clin Chest Med. 1991 Jun;12(2):349-62. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/91309322
Mangura BT; Mangura CT; Reichman LB; Department of Medicine, University Hospital, New Jersey Medical; School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey,; Newark.

Abstract: Literature over the last 30 years has warned of the atypical or unusual characteristics of pulmonary TB. Shifts in the demographic distribution of the disease in the US are ascribed in part to the occurrence of HIV disease outbreaks in group settings, and to recent influxes of immigrants from developing countries. Unsuspected pulmonary TB is particularly common among the elderly. Socioeconomic categories not traditionally thought of as being high risk also are affected. In the low-risk setting, TB can be treacherous because misdiagnosis is likely. Tuberculosis is a great mimicker, and it can appear to be any acute community-acquired pneumonia such as atypical pneumonia. Symptoms and signs are few. A high index of awareness is therefore essential. The approach to atypical pneumonia emphasizes the need to include TB in the differential diagnosis to be aware of the total disease spectrum of TB and understand the risk factors. The atypical pneumonia syndrome is only a portion of the clinical spectrum of TB.
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/COMPLICATIONS Adult Antitubercular Agents/THERAPEUTIC USE Case Report Diagnosis, Differential Female Human Male Pneumonia/*DIAGNOSIS Pneumonia, Mycoplasma/DIAGNOSIS Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. Syndrome Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/*DIAGNOSIS/DRUG THERAPY JOURNAL ARTICLE REVIEW REVIEW, TUTORIALKWDacquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome/complicationsadultantitubercularagents/therapeuticusecasereportdiagnosis,differentialfemalehumanmalepneumonia/KWDdiagnosispneumonia,mycoplasma/diagnosissupport,uKWDsKWDgov't,pKWDhKWDsKWDsyndrometuberculosis,pulmonary/KWDdiagnosis/drugtherapyjournalarticlereviewreview,tutorial
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Copyright © 1991 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.

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