Mayo Clinic Talks Class 5 Tuberculosis Cases
Jun 17, 2025
In this discussion, infectious disease specialist John W. Wilson tackles the alarming rise in tuberculosis cases, particularly the complex class 5 cases. He delves into the challenges of diagnosing TB, emphasizing the importance of recognizing subtle symptoms and risk factors. Wilson explains the critical role of primary care providers and public health strategies in managing suspected cases, including innovative treatment options like a four-drug regimen and techniques like directly observed therapy. It’s an enlightening conversation about a global health concern that demands attention.
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TB Is Rebounding In The U.S.
- Tuberculosis rates in the U.S. declined for decades but are now slowly rising again. Keep TB on your differential despite low overall prevalence.
Catch Latent TB Early In Primary Care
- Diagnose and treat latent TB infection early in primary care to prevent progression to active, contagious disease. Use primary care visits to identify and treat infection before pulmonary disease develops.
Understanding Class 5 TB
- Class 5 TB means clinical suspicion without microbiologic confirmation and can still represent infectious disease. About 15–20% of pulmonary TB cases lack organism identification.