Tuberculosis (TB)

Tuberculosis is a disease caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria can attack any part of your body, but they usually attack the lungs. TB was once the leading cause of death in the United States. In the 1940s, scientists discovered the first of several drugs now used to treat TB. As a result, TB slowly began to disappear in the United States. The country became less concerned about TB and funding of TB programs was decreased. But TB has come back. Between 1985 and 1992, the number of TB cases increased. People who are infected with latent (not active) TB do not feel sick, do not have any symptoms, and cannot spread TB. However, they may develop TB disease at some time in the future. People with TB disease can be treated and cured if they seek medical help. Even better, people who have latent TB infection but are not yet sick can take medicine so that they will never develop TB disease. The MIHG is currently enrolling families with one or more members previously diagnosed with pulmonary TB in a genetic research study. Our research goal is to locate and identify any potential susceptibility genes for TB.