Tuberculosis (TB) is primarily a lung infection. While it most commonly affects the lungs, it's crucial to understand that TB can also impact other parts of the body.
The Lungs: The Primary Target
The majority of TB cases involve the lungs. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, responsible for TB, thrives in the lung tissue, causing inflammation and damage. This leads to characteristic symptoms like coughing, fever, and chest pain. Sources like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/tb/hcp/clinical-overview/tuberculosis-disease.html and the World Health Organization (WHO) https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis clearly state that the lungs are the most frequent site of infection.
Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis: Beyond the Lungs
However, TB is not limited to the respiratory system. It can spread through the bloodstream to other organs, a condition known as extrapulmonary TB. Common sites for extrapulmonary TB include:
- Lymph nodes: Often the first site of infection after the lungs.
- Pleura: The membrane surrounding the lungs.
- Brain: Meningitis (infection of the brain and spinal cord) can occur.
- Kidneys: Kidney TB can lead to kidney failure.
- Spine: Potentially causing severe bone damage and paralysis (Pott's disease).
A study in Johannesburg highlighted the prevalence of extrapulmonary TB in various organs, including the pleura and lymph nodes https://www.nicd.ac.za/tb-doesnt-only-attack-the-lungs/ and http://theconversation.com/tb-doesnt-only-attack-the-lungs-other-organs-are-also-vulnerable-113791. Other reputable sources such as the Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11301-tuberculosis and Cedars-Sinai https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/articles.html also confirm the possibility of TB affecting organs beyond the lungs.
In summary, while the lungs are the most frequently affected organ in tuberculosis, the disease can manifest in various parts of the body, necessitating comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.
