Diagnosis and management of tuberculosis.

The incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in technically advanced and economically well-developed countries is decreasing, and the disease has become more subtle in presentation. In a recent study from British Columbia, about half the deaths from tuberculosis were diagnosed at autopsy. Most of these patients had died in hospital and their mean duration of stay was 14.5 days. The chemotherapeutic agents available today can cure most cases and prevent further spread of infection. The appropriate use of chemoprophylaxis can substantially reduce the size of the infected pool at risk of developing tuberculosis.