24/03/2026
🗓️ March 24 – World Tuberculosis Day
On March 24, 1882, Robert Koch announced the discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a breakthrough that paved the way for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis (TB). 🔬
More than a century later, TB remains a major global health challenge. 🌍 An estimated quarter of the world’s population is infected with latent TB, highlighting that the disease continues to circulate widely and remains deeply embedded in global health inequities.
TB is often described as a disease of poverty and disproportionately affects the most vulnerable populations. This is also relevant to the pulmonary hypertension (PH) community. Approximately 80% of people with PH live in low- and middle-income countries, and the condition most commonly affects individuals under the age of 65. In addition, while the true prevalence of pulmonary hypertension among tuberculosis survivors is not fully known, some echocardiographic studies suggest it may be present in up to 47% of TB survivors who experience dyspnoea after treatment.
For the PH community, TB is therefore a relevant but often underrecognized factor. 🫁 In addition to acute infection, TB can leave lasting effects on the lungs, including fibrosis and bronchiectasis, as well as vascular changes that may contribute to the development of PH in a subset of patients. Reported prevalence varies across studies, but evidence indicates that a proportion of individuals with current or past TB may go on to develop pulmonary hypertension.
Early detection and effective treatment of TB are essential to reduce transmission and mortality, as well as to prevent long-term complications. ⚠️
TB is preventable and curable. 💊 Strengthening access to timely diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up remains key to reducing its global burden and the risk of associated complications.
Source: https://bit.ly/4buxIsC
