[Comparative clinical, X-ray, and immunogenetic characteristics of respiratory tuberculosis actively detected in risk groups and in individuals turning for medical help].

Abstract

Clinical, X-ray, and immunogenetic parameters were comparatively assessed in two groups of first identified patients diagnosed at annual fluorographic studies in groups at risk for tuberculosis and in individuals visiting general health care facilities for symptoms of inflammatory bronchopulmonary disease. Great differences were established in the clinical and X-ray manifestations, the course of the disease, and the patients' immunogenetic status in these groups. Tuberculosis in the patients identified on their referral to general health care facilities is characterized by more severe clinical manifestations, a greater spread of inflammatory and destructive changes in the lung, and massive bacterial isolation. There were certain associations of the HLA antigens A2 and A 11 as markers indicative of tuberculosis resistance with the antigens B35 and Cw4 suggestive of predisposition to tuberculosis in patients with chronic bronchitis.