Cavitation in pulmonary TB is associated with which consequences?

Cavitation in pulmonary TB is associated with which consequences?

• A. Higher bacterial loads and increased risk of transmission, treatment failure, and relapse
• B. Lower bacterial load and reduced transmission
• C. No impact on disease course
• D. Only seen in non-active TB

Answer: (A)

Cavitation in the lung signals extensive tissue destruction with air-filled spaces that connect to the airways, so bacilli can be expelled in coughing. This means a very high bacterial load in the sputum, making the patient highly contagious and increasing transmission risk. The cavity walls are poorly vascularized, limiting diffusion of many anti-TB drugs, which allows bacilli to persist within cavities and raises the chances of treatment failure and relapse after therapy. So cavitation is tied to both greater infectiousness and more difficult treatment outcomes in pulmonary TB.

Cavitation in the lung signals extensive tissue destruction with air-filled spaces that connect to the airways, so bacilli can be expelled in coughing. This means a very high bacterial load in the sputum, making the patient highly contagious and increasing transmission risk. The cavity walls are poorly vascularized, limiting diffusion of many anti-TB drugs, which allows bacilli to persist within cavities and raises the chances of treatment failure and relapse after therapy. So cavitation is tied to both greater infectiousness and more difficult treatment outcomes in pulmonary TB.