TB Research

History of Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Pezzella AT

Thoracic surgery clinics · 2019-02

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) parallels the history of human development from the Stone Age to the present. TB continues to be in the top 10 causes of global human mortality over that period. This article highlights the history of pulmonary TB from the onset of human existence to the present. Despite its long history, TB was slowly identified as a major cause of disease, and defined causation and significant treatment strategies advances over the past 150 years. TB remains a major challenge for definitive global prevention and cure. This article gives a brief overview of the history of TB.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis
  • Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant
  • Tuberculosis, Pulmonary
  • Antitubercular Agents
  • Thoracic Surgical Procedures
  • History, Ancient
  • History, Medieval
  • History, 16th Century
  • History, 17th Century
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century