Tuberculosis diagnosis
Tuberculosis diagnosis
Tuberculosis diagnosis refers to the identification and confirmation of tuberculosis infections, typically through medical imaging, microbiological studies, and histological analysis. Pronounced as /tjuːˌbɜːrkjʊˈloʊsɪs daɪəɡˈnoʊsɪs/, the term originates from the Latin tuberculum meaning a small swelling and the Greek diagnosis meaning discernment or distinction.
Medical Imaging
Medical imaging is often the first step in diagnosing tuberculosis. A chest X-ray is commonly used to identify abnormalities in the lungs that may indicate the presence of the disease. However, while this method can suggest the presence of tuberculosis, it cannot confirm the diagnosis on its own.
Microbiological Studies
Microbiological studies are essential for confirming a tuberculosis diagnosis. These studies typically involve the examination of sputum samples under a microscope to identify the presence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes the disease. Other methods, such as culture and PCR, can also be used to detect the bacterium.
Histological Analysis
Histological analysis involves the examination of tissue samples to identify the presence of tuberculosis. This method is particularly useful for diagnosing forms of the disease that affect areas of the body other than the lungs, such as extrapulmonary tuberculosis.
Related Terms
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis: The bacterium that causes tuberculosis.
- Extrapulmonary tuberculosis: A form of tuberculosis that affects areas of the body other than the lungs.
- Chest radiograph: A type of X-ray used to examine the chest and lungs.
- Culture (biology): A method used to grow bacteria for examination.
- Polymerase chain reaction: A method used to amplify DNA, including the DNA of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Tuberculosis diagnosis
- Wikipedia's article - Tuberculosis diagnosis
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski