Active tuberculosis

Patent Pending Diagnosing active tuberculosis based merely on signs and symptoms is difficult,[55] as is diagnosing the disease in those who are immunosuppressed.[56] A diagnosis of TB should, however, be considered in those with signs of lung disease or constitutional symptoms lasting longer than two weeks.[56] A chest X-ray and multiple sputum cultures for acid-fast bacilli are typically part of the initial evaluation.[56] Interferon-γ release assays and tuberculin skin tests are of little use in the developing world.[57][58] IGRA have similar limitations in those with HIV.