Understanding tuberculosis: Examining its historical impact, modes of transmission, risk factors, and strategies for global prevention and effective treatment

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly infectious disease with a long history of impacting global health. Despite the availability of effective treatments, TB remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in low- and middle-income countries and among HIV-positive individuals. TB transmission occurs primarily through inhaling aerosolized droplets from an infected person, leading to potential disease progression. Risk factors for TB include close contact with infected individuals, residency in TB-endemic regions, and immunocompromising conditions like HIV and diabetes. Aim: This article aims to provide an overview of TB’s historical impact, modes of transmission, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and global strategies for prevention and treatment. Methods: The review synthesizes data from recent studies on TB transmission, clinical symptoms, imaging techniques, and diagnostic tests, including acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear, nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs), and immune-based tests. Various diagnostic and treatment protocols are discussed for both drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB strains. Results: TB diagnosis relies on a combination of imaging, microbiologic testing, and immune-based tests. While AFB smears and NAATs remain primary diagnostic methods, novel imaging techniques like CT and PET scans are expanding diagnostic accuracy.