Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis, and it remains a global health concern. Primarily TB affects the lungs but can also target other organs, leading to various types and forms of the disease. Do you know there are different types of TB that show its symptoms differently? 

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB)

“Pulmonary tuberculosis primarily affects the lungs and is responsible for the majority of TB cases worldwide. Symptoms include persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss. PTB is contagious and can spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes,” said Dr Ashok Tiwari, Head Pulmonologist in Ivory Hospital, Greater Noida. 

Extra-Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB)

“This is the sort of tuberculosis that occurs outside of the lungs and can be just as dangerous. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis spreads to organs and bones near the lungs. The symptoms of this disease vary depending on which area of the body has been impacted the most,” Dr Tiwari explained. Common forms of EPTB include:

• a. Tuberculous Lymphadenitis: Affects the lymph nodes, typically in the neck.
• b. Tuberculous Meningitis: Affects the brain and spinal cord, causing symptoms like severe headaches, fever, and confusion.
• c. Tuberculous Pericarditis: Affects the lining around the heart, leading to chest pain and difficulty breathing.
• d. Abdominal Tuberculosis: Can affect the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhoea, and weight loss.

Miliary Tuberculosis

Miliary tuberculosis is a severe and disseminated form of TB where the bacteria spreads throughout the body via the bloodstream. Tiny TB granulomas (small, solid collections of immune cells) develop in various organs, leading to widespread symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and organ dysfunction. This form of TB can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is a growing concern in TB control. It occurs when the bacteria become resistant to one or more of the standard anti-TB drugs, making treatment more challenging. DR-TB can be further classified into two main categories:

a. Multidrug Resistant TB (MDR-TB): Resistant to two of the most potent first-line drugs.

b. Extensively Drug-Resistant TB (XDR-TB): Resistant to multiple first-line and second-line TB drugs, posing a significant treatment challenge.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI)

As per Dr Tiwari, if you have a latent tuberculosis infection, it indicates that the bacteria in your body are in a dormant stage. It appears risky because this type of tuberculosis does not generate any symptoms.  It is not contagious but carries the risk of developing into active TB disease if left untreated. Individuals with LTBI are often prescribed preventive therapy to reduce the risk of progression to active TB.

Also read: Tuberculosis: Importance Of Early Diagnosis And Treatment

The different types of tuberculosis are crucial for early diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and effective TB control efforts. While pulmonary TB is the most common form, extra-pulmonary and drug-resistant TB variants pose unique challenges.