Pulmonary tuberculosis in the elderly. Report of a case discovered at death.

Tuberculosis in the elderly takes on new significance. The case of an 87-year-old female nursing home resident is presented. She was admitted to the hospital with atypical pulmonary manifestations and right pleural effusion. Tuberculin skin tests were negative. The patient deteriorated and died. Disease due to Mycobacteria tuberculosis was discovered by culture after death.The prevalence of tuberculosis in the aged is increasing as the population ages. In the long-term-care setting, residents infected early in life outlive their tubercle bacilli. They are at risk of being infected again.Continuous clinical awareness in the geriatric segment of the population is essential if tuberculosis control is to be achieved. Tuberculin skin testing is important, with chemoprophylaxis for converters, and treatment for active disease.