An 85-year-old man has been experiencing weight loss, night sweats, and a dry cough for several months and just recently he has begun coughing up sputum with tinges of blood in it.Following a chest X-ray showing some white spots on his lungs, an AFB (Mycobacterial) stain and culture were ordered and both were positive for the presence of mycobacteria.He has been PPD positive since his 20's.Which of the following most accurately describes his current situation?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The combination of symptoms (weight loss, night sweats, cough with blood-tinged sputum) and positive AFB stain and culture indicate active tuberculosis, specifically reactivation tuberculosis. The fact that he has a positive PPD test from his 20s suggests previous exposure to tuberculosis and latent infection, which has now reactivated. The term "systemic tuberculosis" is not a recognized medical term, while "primary tubercular infection" and "primary tubercular disease" typically refer to the initial infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is unlikely in an 85-year-old with a long-standing PPD positivity.

An 85-Year-Old Man Has Been Experiencing Weight Loss, Night Sweats