The reemergence of mycobacterial infections
D. E. Fry
Department of Surgery, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, USA.
In the early half of this century, infections due to Mycobacterium
tuberculosis were quite common and were frequent causes of death and
morbidity among the world population. Surgeons in the 1930s were quite
sensitive to making the diagnosis of tuberculosis. All surgeons had
considerable experience with thoracic surgical procedures for pulmonary
tuberculosis. Moreover, tuberculosis was a significant cause of
occupational infection among surgeons and other physicians. Thus, being
able to diagnose the disease quickly and accurately was not only in the
patient's best interest, but also allowed appropriate precautions to be
exercised so that occupational infections of the health care team could be
minimized.
