Clinical Description of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Cuba

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/shp2025343

Keywords:

National Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program, tuberculosis, HIV

Abstract

Introduction: Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The World Health Organization in 2023 states that it is the leading cause of death from infectious diseases worldwide. Cuba is among the countries with low incidence in the Americas. Efforts are ongoing to achieve the goals of the "End Tuberculosis Strategy."
Objective: To describe the clinical aspects of pulmonary tuberculosis in Cuba.
Materials and Methods: The historical-logical method was used. Data were obtained through the review of 20 publications from 2020 to 2025.
Results and Discussion: Mycobacterium tuberculosis has virulence factors supported by cell wall characteristics that aid its survival and spread. Tuberculosis is contracted through inhalation of aerosol droplets containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis from a susceptible person. Symptoms include fever, cough, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, and hemoptysis. In Cuba, diagnostic techniques include sputum smear microscopy, bacteriological culture, and the tuberculin test. Multidrug therapy is systematically administered in 100% of diagnosed cases.

References

1. Yuste JR, del Pozo JL, Carrasco N, de la Cruz AÍ. Tuberculosis. Clínica Universidad de Navarra. 2024. Available at: https://www.cun.es/enfermedades-tratamientos/enfermedades/tuberculosis

2. Turco J, Byrd M. An interdisciplinary perspective: infectious diseases and history. Am Biol Teach. 2001; 63(5):325-335. Available at: https://www.valdosta.edu/biology/faculty-staff/jenifer-turco.php

3. World Health Organization. Tuberculosis. Geneva: WHO; 2024. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tuberculosis

4. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). PAHO urges the Americas to adopt innovative technologies and treatments to eliminate tuberculosis. Washington, D.C.: PAHO; March 22, 2024. Available at: https://paho.org/es/noticias/22-3-2024-ops-insta-americas-adoptar-tecnologias-tratamientos-innovadores-para-eliminar-tuberculosis

5. Marrero A. The challenge of living in a world without tuberculosis. Nodo Cuba – Virtual Campus of Public Health; n.d. Available at: https://campus.paho.org/cuba/el-reto-de-vivir-en-un-mundo-sin-tuberculosis

6. Lewinsohn D, MD, PhD, Kain D, MD, Parrish N, PhD, MHS, D (ABMM). Tuberculosis: Microbiology, pathogenesis, and immunology. UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. 2025. Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/tuberculosis-microbiology-pathogenesis-and-immunology

7. Wong EB, Olivier S, Gunda R, et al. Convergence of infectious and non-communicable disease epidemics in rural South Africa: a cross-sectional population-based multimorbidity study. Lancet Glob Health 2021; 9:E967. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00176-5

8. Rahlwes KC, Dias BRS, Campos PC, et al. Pathogenicity and virulence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Virulence 2023; 14:2150449. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/21505594.2022.2150449

9. Rens C, Chao JD, Sexton DL, et al. Functions of phthiocerol dimycocerosate lipids in the pathogenesis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Microbiology (Reading) 2021; 167. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001042

10. Ministry of Public Health of Cuba. National Tuberculosis Control Program in Cuba. 2013. (Currently in force).

11. Loscalzo J, Kasper DL, Longo DL, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Jameson JL, editors. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. 22nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional; 2025.

12. Pozniak A, FRCP. Pulmonary tuberculosis in adults: clinical manifestations and complications. UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. 2025. Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pulmonary-tuberculosis-disease-in-adults-clinical-manifestations-and-complications

13. Alemu A, Bitew ZW, Seid G, et al. Tuberculosis in people recovering from COVID-19: a systematic review of case reports. PLoS One 2022; 17:E0277807. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0277807

14. Donald PR, Diacon AH, Thee S. Anton Ghon and colleagues and their studies on the primary focus and the tuberculous infection complex and its relevance for the 21st century. Respiration 2021; 100:557. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31869170/

15. John Bernardo. Diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults. UpToDate, Inc. and/or its affiliates. 2025. Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/diagnosis-of-pulmonary-tuberculosis-in-adults

16. World Health Organization. WHO operational manual on tuberculosis: module 3: diagnosis: tests for tuberculosis infection. Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240058347

17. Pillay S, Steingart KR, Davies GR, et al. Xpert MTB/XDR for the detection of pulmonary tuberculosis and resistance to isoniazid, fluoroquinolones, ethionamide, and amikacin. Cochrane Database Systematic Review 2022; 5:CD014841. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858

18. Van't Hoog A, Viney K, Biermann O, et al. Screening tests for active pulmonary tuberculosis in HIV-negative adults and adults with unknown serostatus. Cochrane Database Systematic Review 2022; 3:CD010890. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858

19. Reichler MR, Khan A, Yuan Y, et al. Duration of exposure among close contacts of patients with infectious tuberculosis and risk of latent tuberculosis infection. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 71:1627. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32044987/

20. World Tuberculosis Report. World Health Organization, 2023. Available at: https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/373828/9789240083851-eng.pdf.

Downloads

Published

2025-08-02

How to Cite

1.
Cabrera Rodríguez D, Mai Lyng YW, Chiappini Zayas S, Carbonell M. Clinical Description of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Cuba. South Health and Policy [Internet]. 2025 Aug. 2 [cited 2025 Aug. 19];4:343. Available from: https://shp.ageditor.ar/index.php/shp/article/view/343