Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health problem driven by poverty, HIV infection, etc. In Europe, the problem of multidrug resistance (i.e., resistance to at least rifampin and isoniazid) (MR) develops. The cases come essentially from the former U.S.S.R. In Belgium, the incidence of tuberculosis continues to decline to 9.4/100,000 inhabitants in 2008. The percentage of MR germs is 2.8%. The distribution of cases is not uniform across the country. The incidence is much higher among people recently coming from high prevalence countries than among the Belgian native. The pulmonary forms of TB are more contagious and more common. The clinical signs are frequently non specific. The diagnosis is often mentioned up after performing a chest Xray and must always be confirmed by microbiological examination and culture of several sputum or other respiratory specimens. It is very important to identify the germ, M. tuberculosis complex and to test its sensitivity to anti-TB agents. Standard treatment consists of 4 drugs: isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol and pyrazinamide for 2 months followed by rifampin and isoniazid for at least 4 additional months. In suspected cases of MR, 5 drugs are prescribed at the outset. Treatment and duration will be adjusted according to the results of susceptibility testing. The potential toxicities of second-line drugs should be well known by the physicians. Compliance of the patient is essential. Screening in the entourage is part of the therapeutic process.