Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis of the Genitourinary System

Abstract

Tuberculosis, or TB, is an infectious bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which most commonly affects the lungs. It is transmitted from person to person via droplets from the throat and lungs of the infected person to the uninfected. Its incidence appears to be increasing due to various factors, such as the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Once the infection has been established in the lungs it can then disseminate to multiple sites and organs of the body to cause a secondary infection. In this specific scenario the hematogenous dissemination carries the causative agents to the many components of the genitourinary system causing an infection in either they epididymis, testicles, prostate, urethra, kidney or bladder [1]. The onset and non‑specific symptoms of genitourinary tuberculosis (GUTB) often lead to delayed diagnosis and rapid progression to a non‑functioning kidney. However treatment is available in the course of antibiotics for six-months.