Tuberculosis Disease: A Narrative Review

Tuberculosis (TB) remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of TB, covering its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies. Caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, TB primarily affects the lungs (pulmonary TB) but can also impact other organs (extrapulmonary TB). Despite global efforts and advancements in diagnostics and therapeutics, TB control continues to be hindered by factors such as delayed diagnosis, drug resistance, co-infection with HIV, and socioeconomic disparities. The review highlights the importance of early detection through improved diagnostic tools like GeneXpert and interferon-gamma release assays, and discusses the standard treatment regimens involving first-line anti-TB drugs. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) pose significant public health concerns, requiring more aggressive and prolonged treatment protocols. Additionally, the intersection of TB with the COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated TB control measures by disrupting health services and delaying care. Emphasis is placed on the need for robust public health strategies, enhanced surveillance systems, and investment in vaccine development, including updates on the BCG vaccine and novel candidates in clinical trials. In conclusion, combating TB requires a multidimensional approach involving clinical, public health, and socioeconomic interventions to achieve the World Health Organization’s goal of TB elimination by 2035. This review aims to inform healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers on the current landscape and future directions in TB prevention and management.