Tuberculosis, often abbreviated as TB, is a highly infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. A notable feature of TB is the presence of tiny lumps known as tubercles. Diagnosis typically begins with a skin test, and if the result is positive, a chest X-ray is conducted to determine whether the infection is active or dormant. TB is more prevalent among individuals with certain health conditions compared to the general population. In the United States, treating active tuberculosis is legally required and should be provided free of charge through the public health system. The treatment involves a regimen of antibiotics and vitamins over approximately six months. Completing the full course is crucial to prevent relapse and the emergence of antibiotic-resistant TB strains. While most TB patients do not need isolation, it is sometimes necessary.Despite the millions of new TB cases annually, not everyone exposed to the bacterium becomes infected, nor do all infected individuals develop symptoms. Research has identified a genetic region linked to clinical TB. Individuals with at least one high-risk variant of this genetic region are ten times more likely to develop TB. This region includes the NRAMP1 gene, which plays a role in susceptibility to diseases caused by bacteria related to TB.
