tuberculosis

[too-bur-kyuh-loh-sis, tyoo-]

noun

Pathology.

1. an infectious disease that may affect almost any tissue of the body, especially the lungs, caused by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and characterized by tubercles.

2. this disease when affecting the lungs; pulmonary phthisis; consumption.

3. any disease caused by a mycobacterium.

tuberculosis

/ tjʊˌbɜːkjʊˈləʊsɪs /

noun

1. Also called: consumption.  phthisis.  TB. a communicable disease caused by infection with the tubercle bacillus, most frequently affecting the lungs ( pulmonary tuberculosis )

tuberculosis

1. An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is transmitted through inhalation and is characterized by cough, fever, shortness of breath, weight loss, and the appearance of inflammatory substances and tubercles in the lungs. Tuberculosis is highly contagious and can spread to other parts of the body, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Although the incidence of the disease has declined since the introduction of antibiotic treatment in the 1950's, it is still a major public-health problem throughout the world, especially in Asia and Africa.

tuberculosis

1. An infectious disease caused by bacteria that mainly attack the lungs. The disease is characterized by the formation of patches, called tubercles, that appear in the lungs and, in later stages, the bones, joints, and other parts of the body. Tuberculosis is treated with combinations of antibiotics and is no longer considered a major health problem in industrialized countries. It was formerly called consumption.

Years ago, tuberculosis (consumption) was a major killer; it often figures in literature and drama.

In recent years, the incidence of tuberculosis has been on the increase in the United States, particularly in large cities, mainly because the strains of the bacterium have developed resistance to antibiotics.

Other Word Forms

• antituberculosis adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuberculosis¹

First recorded in 1855–60; from New Latin tūberculōsis; tubercle, -osis

Word History and Origins

Origin of tuberculosis¹

C19: from New Latin; see _tubercle , _-osis

Example Sentences

Some medical records showed that staffers failed to complete required mental and medical health screenings for new arrivals, and failed to complete tuberculosis screenings.

From Los Angeles Times

The story of tuberculosis, Burleigh points out, is another chronicle of reduced infection rates and lives saved.

From Salon

Among the recorded causes of death were measles, whooping cough, influenza, tuberculosis and bronchitis.

From BBC

Indeed, there’s evidence to suggest it may have been a mistake to stop administering the smallpox vaccine after the total elimination of smallpox, or to end the BCG vaccine as tuberculosis infection became rare.

From Salon

Ten years ago she got a chesty cough, and initially thought it was tuberculosis.

From BBC