Diseases of Concern Tuberculosis

• These patient do not always develop a cellular immunity and may not have a positive tuberculin skin test
• Tuberculosis in these patient can progress rapidly leading to death
• If the disease is dormant, and the patient"s immune status deteriorates, they will have an increased risk of reactivation
• About 10% of Tuberculosis cases will reactivate
• A high number of these cases are patients with impaired immunity
• Conditions associated with an increased conversion rate are: [5]

1. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome)
2. Immunosuppressive therapy (transplant and chemotherapy patients)
3. Diabetes
4. Malnutrition
5. Malignant disease