ABSTRACT
The aging population continues to represent the largest reservoir of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection in industrialized nations including the United States (1,2). Tuberculosis (TB) case rates in the United States are highest for this age group compared with other age categories (3). Older residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are at a greater risk for reactivation of latent TB as well as the acquisition of new TB infection in comparison to community-dwelling elderly (4). Prevention and control of TB in such facilities is therefore of key importance (4-7). The variable and atypical clinical presentations of TB in the elderly can delay diagnosis and treatment, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality in this age group; this treatable infection can be an unfortunate autopsy finding.
