Tuberculosis terminology

Tuberculosis terminology is inconsistent in the literature^[1].

The following terms refer to the clinical state in which there is evidence of specific cell-mediated immunologic response following exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis-derived protein antigens in solution (eg, positive TST and/or IGRA), in the absence of signs or symptoms of illness:

Tuberculosis infection (newer term)
Latent tuberculosis infection (older term)

The following terms refer to presence of signs or symptoms reflecting illness due to M. tuberculosis:

Tuberculosis disease (newer term)
Active tuberculosis (older term)
Active tuberculosis disease (older term)
Active tuberculosis infection (older term)

TST: tuberculin skin test; IGRA: interferon-gamma release assay.

Reference:

Behr MA, Kaufmann E, Duffin J, et al. Latent Tuberculosis: Two Centuries of Confusion. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2021; 204:142.

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Tuberculosis terminology