Tuberculosis: don't forget to make a complete diagnosis

Abstract

multidrug-resistant tuberculosis case. Tuberculosis can be diagnosed in several different ways, including chest X-rays, analysis of sputum, and skin tests, and it is from all the data together that a diagnostic hypothesis is formulated. Regardless of the good intent and originality of the work, which most defi nitely are not in question here, it would be important to stress, in my opinion, the importance of the diagnostic procedure and of the utilization of the laboratory in all cases of suspected infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, such as in the article cited. In fact, it would appear to me that the range of biomarkers and of tests currently available on the market and reported in the literature are still underused, and it is noted that the most simple of approaches, sputum microscopy (possibly with fl uorescence) was not described. Because there is great turmoil in the scientifi c world and, in particular, within the community of those who are concerned with tuberculosis, in my opinion, the criteria required and indicated should be suffi cient to reach a more precise diagnosis which could confi rm the rare and unusual localization of active or latent forms that would certainly bring new data to the cultural awareness of both the lung specialist and nonspecialist. The thoroughness of a pathology diagnosis of tuberculosis, unfortunately a forgotten skill in a disease that is now making a comeback, is of great socioeconomic and sanitary impact; such a diagnosis should return to being a constructive element of a doctor’s awareness.