Extrapulmonary tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is increasing worldwide. In industrial countries extrapulmonary tuberculosis (ETB) amounts to approximately 10-20%, while in countries with a high number of HIV co-infections the TB rate may be up to 50% (and pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB are often found in the same patient). In Germany and the other West European countries ETB is decreasing continuously and is more frequent in those of foreign origin in contrast to pulmonary tuberculosis, and particularly in foreign-born women. The diagnosis is sometimes difficult and often made long after the first-often uncharacteristic-symptoms. Because of its rarity ETB is seldom taken into consideration when establishing a diagnosis, probably due in part to insufficient knowledge and experience of the first physicians contacted. © Springer Medizin Verlag 2007.