Risk factors for pulmonary tuberculosis in community-acquired pneumonia

Abstract

From the authors:We thank Aggarwal and colleagues for their comments on our article [1]. They raise four important points for discussion. First, that tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic disease, and duration of symptoms is an important factor differentiating tuberculous from non-tuberculous pneumonia. Secondly, that in India a large proportion of the population is infected with TB, thus making prior exposure to TB of questionable relevance as a risk factor. Thirdly, that absence of risk factors should not mean exclusion of TB. They suggest that patients with pneumonia should have a sputum test for acid-fast bacilli, even in the absence of risk factors, in areas of high burden of TB. Fourthly, that more prospective research is needed from TB endemic countries.