Testing for TB is only skin deep

Testing for TB is only skin deep

Author: The BMJ October 25, 2019 Duration: 30:01
A TB infection can take two forms, active and latent. Active disease is transmissible, and causes the damage to the lungs which makes TB one of the biggest killers in the world. In the latent form, the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis is quiescent and can stay that way for years until it becomes active and causes those clinical signs. Testing for the active version of the disease is done directly, but when it comes to latency, we use the tuberculin skin test to see if someone has an immunological response - and when that happens we consider them to have latent disease. However, in this podcast Lalita Ramakrishnan, professor of immunology and infectious diseases at the University of Cambridge; Paul Edelstein, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; and Marcel Behr, professor of medicine at McGill University question that conclusion. Read their full analysis: https://www.bmj.com/content/367/bmj.l5770/ Their previous analysis: https://www.bmj.com/content/362/bmj.k2738.abstract

And search for their previous podcast - "Have we misunderstood TB's timeline?"


Produced by The BMJ, this weekly audio series delves into the pivotal research and urgent clinical debates shaping modern medicine. Each episode moves beyond the published page, bringing together the authors, critics, and practitioners directly involved to dissect a new study or a pressing health question. The conversation is rigorous and nuanced, designed for those who appreciate the complexity behind headlines. You’ll hear unscripted discussion about methodology, implications for practice, and the occasional healthy disagreement that drives science forward. This isn't just a summary of the latest findings; it's a critical appraisal in real time, offering listeners a front-row seat to the evolving discourse that defines evidence-based care. The Medicine and Science from The BMJ podcast serves as an essential audio companion for clinicians, academics, and anyone keen to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind medical news. It transforms the latest evidence from the journal into an accessible, thought-provoking dialogue, ensuring that busy professionals can stay deeply informed. Tune in for a direct, intelligent, and often surprising take on the science that matters most.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 1000

Medicine and Science from The BMJ
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