Mycobacterium tuberculosis infected people since Egyptian mummies appeared and scientists discovered that their spinal column had signs of tubercular decay. Phthisis was first used by Hipocrates who observed that the disease killed almost everyone who was infected and he even advised doctors not to visit patients in late stages of disease because of the danger of catching it.

Later other scientists begun to describe exactly the lesions produced and the abscesses and cavities that follow. Italian medical literature reflected that the patients possessions were infected too and needed to be disinfected. They also appreciated that being in close contact with an infected person one may get the infection, too. Hermann Brehmer build the first sanatorium after he himself cured of tuberculosis after moving to a healthier climate. A French doctor demonstrated that the disease has been caused by microorganisms from other infected persons not arising by themselves in the organisms as it was thought.


Robert Koch discovered which was the bacteria to produce tuberculosis: mycobacteria tuberculosis. After that sanatoria were widely opened through Europe and the US. Sanatorias provided rest, good nutrition, and a healthy environment, but they also served to isolate the sick from the healthy population. Surgical methods to reduce lung volume and artificial pneumothorax were then developed and put into use.

Wilhelm Konrad bon Rontgen discovered a radiation that was used to view the severity and progress of the patients. BCG vaccine, is still used widely today. Streptomycin purified from Streptomyces griseus was an important discovery in the treatment of tuberculosis. More and more anti-TB drugs were developed in the years to come. Combination therapies are also very important. TB is still a problem in developing nations with all the possibilities of treatment and diagnosis. Has a high incidence in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and other countries and continents. In developing countries every year many people get infected and die of tunerculosis.

The BCG vaccine is an attenuated form of the attenuated bacillus, after being inoculated the primary infection appears and in consequence the immunogenic (ability to cause an immune response) response. BCG induces also tuberculin sensitivity, so it is quite easy to determine new cases of tuberculosis using this method. A healthy diet with lots of clean water, fresh air and exercise will make us strong so that we will not be susceptible to tuberculosis. A healthy diet with lots of clean water, fresh air and exercise will make us strong so that we will not be susceptible to tuberculosis. Some people remain only with this prime infection for the whole of their life, but others develop the active tuberculosis and may get even re-infected or the tuberculosis gets re-activated.