<s>[INST] What is TB disease (“active TB”)? [/INST] Tuberculosis disease, or active TB, develops when the immune system cannot prevent Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms from multiplying in the body.

After exposure, persons can develop latent TB infection or TB disease. TB disease most commonly occurs in the lungs (pulmonary TB) but may occur in other body organs or spaces, particularly in immunocompromised patients or children, and may be localised or disseminated as occurs in miliary TB. Symptoms of pulmonary TB disease may include fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss, and fatigue. Without treatment, TB mortality rates are high. Individuals with TB disease usually have a positive T-SPOT.TB test result; however, assessing the probability of disease requires a combination of epidemiological, historical, medical and diagnostic findings. The definitive diagnosis of TB disease is made on the basis of isolation and identification of the TB mycobacterium in culture. Identification of the mycobacterium by other means, such as genetic tests of its presence, are increasingly being accepted as proof of infection. Persons with latent TB infection are also at risk for progression to TB disease, with that risk being modulated by age, concomitant illness, medication and other epidemiological factors. Source: T-SPOT ASIA. Link: https://tspot.asia/resources/frequently-asked-questions/. Field: Lung Disease. Disease: Tuberculosis </s>