Tuberculosis in the global aging population

Abstract

Despite the decline in the overall incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in many developed countries, it remains an important problem among the older population. The control of TB in the elderly remains a major challenge because of the limitations of the existing tools for the diagnosis and treatment of latent TB infection and clinically active disease. This article examines the current and possible future status of TB in the elderly, focusing on epidemiology, risk factors, preventive treatment strategies, and clinical disease.