tuberculosis

(noun)

An infectious disease of humans and animals caused by a species of mycobacterium mainly infecting the lungs where it causes tubercles characterized by the expectoration of mucus and sputum, fever, weight loss, and chest pain. It is transmitted through inhalation or ingestion of bacteria.

Related Terms

Examples of tuberculosis in the following topics:

  • Tuberculosis

    • Tuberculosis is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious bacterial disease that mainly affects the lungs.
    • Tuberculosis (TB; short for tubercle bacillus) is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis .
    • Tuberculosis typically attacks the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body.
    • Tuberculosis may infect any part of the body, but most commonly occurs in the lungs, known as pulmonary tuberculosis.
    • This contributes to the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis.

  • Pericarditis

    • ., Mycobacterium tuberculosis), post-infarct pericarditis (pericarditis due to heart attack), or Dressler's pericarditis.
    • The most common worldwide cause of pericarditis is infectious pericarditis with Tuberculosis.

  • Spinal Cord Compression

    • The most common causes of cord compression are tumors, but abscesses and granulomas (e.g. in tuberculosis) are equally capable of producing the syndrome.

  • Adrenal Gland Disorders

    • For chronic adrenal insufficiency, the major contributors are autoimmune adrenalitis, tuberculosis, AIDS, and metastatic disease.

  • Active and Passive Humoral Immunity

    • Because passive immunity is short lived, vaccination is often required shortly following birth to prevent diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, polio, and pertussis; however, maternal antibodies can inhibit the induction of protective vaccine responses throughout the first year of life.

  • Malabsorption of Nutrients

    • Infective agents that may cause malabsorption include: Whipple's disease , intestinal tuberculosis, HIV-related malabsorption, tropical sprue, traveler's diarrhea, and parasites (e.g.

  • Hepatitis

    • Bacterial diseases can also cause liver inflammation, such as tuberculosis and tick-borne diseases.

  • Peritonitis

    • Systemic infections such as tuberculosis may rarely have a peritoneal localization.