Tuberculosis (TB) is spread primarily via airborne transmission of aerosolized droplets developed by coughing, sneezing and talking. Areas of poor ventilation pose the greatest risk of exposure to infection. TB is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, resulting in the greatest number of deaths due to a single infectious agent. The World Health Organization reports that more than 8 million new cases of active tuberculosis are diagnosed annually. Almost 3 million deaths are attributed to TB as well.1,2 Timely diagnosis is crucial to TB control, as it provides early initiation of therapy and limits further spread of infection.
