To the Issue of the Reactivation of the Tuberculosis Process

Abstract

Objective: The article dedicated to debating the degree of certainty of verification of certain types of reactivation of the tuberculosis process, such as relapse, reinfection and superinfection. Analysis of native and foreign publications for the last 10 years on this issue conducted. The authors confirm that even if the outcome of a successful treatment of tuberculosis is deduced based on bacterioscopic and cultural conversion of sputum (outcome "cured"), it is not possible to claim reinfection after eradication or elimination of M. tuberculosis, because it does not exclude its presence in the parenchyma of the lungs, lymph nodes or other organs. If the outcome of successful treatment for various reasons displayed without laboratory confirmation (outcome "completed treatment"), the more so it is impossible to confirm the relapse or reinfection of the disease. Summing up the analysis of the literature, the authors point out the necessity of a differentiated approach in observations in practice and in scientific researches. The use of several costly methods of verification of the form reactivating of the tuberculosis process is not always justified. Ultimately, as recommended WHO, these cases register as new and, depending on the sensitivity to anti-tuberculosis drugs picks up the regimen of repeated chemotherapy. Keywords: Tuberculosis, reactivation, exacerbation, relapse, reinfection, superinfection..