Clinical Aspects of Nutrition in Tuberculosis

The word “consumption” has long been used to describe the process by which individuals with tuberculosis undergo a transformation from robust, healthy individuals, into frail and emaciated shadows of themselves. There are many factors that contribute to the catabolic state and malnutrition in patients with tuberculosis. Mild zinc deficiency likely contributes to the anemia and lethargy present in tuberculosis. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of vitamins and minerals that are commonly lacking in the diet of a patient with tuberculosis. There are many interventions available to clinicians, health care workers, and patients to help combat the myriad of problems encountered when treating nutritional difficulties caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The treatment goals include appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy as well as nutritional optimization. Clarithromycin, drug is rarely used in treatment regimens for infections due to M. tuberculosis, but is commonly used to treat mycobacterial infections other than tuberculosis.