Host- and pathogen-related determinants of pulmonary <i>versus</i> extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT: Tuberculosis (TB) primarily manifests as pulmonary TB (PTB), but extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) remains a major clinical challenge. Distinct diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties arise from differences in immune responses, pathogen behaviour and host susceptibility. However, the factors driving disease localisation are still incompletely understood. We conducted a comprehensive narrative review of studies examining differences between PTB and EPTB in terms of epidemiology, mycobacterial factors, genetic and epigenetic determinants, host immune responses, transcriptomic profiles, cytokine and chemokine patterns, and immunophenotypes. EPTB is more common among females, children, older adults and immunocompromised individuals with deficient granuloma formation. This review is intended to provide

SUBMITTER: Tulu B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12873656 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature