tuberculosis

American  

[too-bur-kyuh-loh-sis, tyoo-] / tʊˌbɜr kyəˈloʊ sɪs, tyʊ- /

noun

Pathology.

1. an infectious disease that may affect almost any tissue of the body, especially the lungs, caused by the organism Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and characterized by tubercles.

2. this disease when affecting the lungs; pulmonary phthisis; consumption.

3. any disease caused by a mycobacterium.

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tuberculosis British  

/ tjʊˌbɜːkjʊˈləʊsɪs /

noun

1. Also called: consumption.   phthisis.   TB.  a communicable disease caused by infection with the tubercle bacillus, most frequently affecting the lungs ( pulmonary tuberculosis )

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tuberculosis Scientific  

/ t-bûr′kyə-lō′sĭs /

1. An infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis that is transmitted through inhalation and is characterized by cough, fever, shortness of breath, weight loss, and the appearance of inflammatory substances and tubercles in the lungs. Tuberculosis is highly contagious and can spread to other parts of the body, especially in people with weakened immune systems. Although the incidence of the disease has declined since the introduction of antibiotic treatment in the 1950's, it is still a major public-health problem throughout the world, especially in Asia and Africa.

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tuberculosis Cultural  

1. An infectious disease caused by bacteria that mainly attack the lungs. The disease is characterized by the formation of patches, called tubercles, that appear in the lungs and, in later stages, the bones, joints, and other parts of the body. Tuberculosis is treated with combinations of antibiotics and is no longer considered a major health problem in industrialized countries. It was formerly called consumption.

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Discover More

Years ago, tuberculosis (consumption) was a major killer; it often figures in literature and drama.

In recent years, the incidence of tuberculosis has been on the increase in the United States, particularly in large cities, mainly because the strains of the bacterium have developed resistance to antibiotics.

Other Word Forms

• antituberculosis adjective

Etymology

Origin of tuberculosis

First recorded in 1855–60; from New Latin tūberculōsis; tubercle, -osis

Example Sentences

It’s a genuine calamity—there are deaths, as well as displacement of babies and the ill, including one nun recently diagnosed with tuberculosis but who had no choice but to continue caring for the kids.

From The Wall Street Journal

Further analysis revealed signs of childhood stress, healed fractures, and diseases such as tuberculosis.

From BBC

Under a five-year bilateral deal, Washington will contribute nearly $2.1 billion to help prevent HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and polio, and to protect maternal and child health, a US State Department spokeman said.

From Barron's

Lewin blocked funding requests for programs like tuberculosis treatment in Tajikistan and emergency earthquake response in Myanmar, records show.

From Salon

The BCG vaccine given to newborns in many parts of the developing world to prevent tuberculosis also seems to have a systemic immune response that helps prevent infant mortality from other infections, says Topham.

From The Wall Street Journal