Latent course of the disease: what does it mean?

Sometimes the doctor, after receiving the analysis, pronounces the phrase “latent course of the disease.” What is this, how to understand this turn of phrase? Could latent flow be less dangerous?

There are cases in medical practice when a disease caused by a virus or bacteria does not have an open, obvious course, but a hidden one. Then they talk about latent flow.

Latent - meaning of the word

The word latent from Latin latens(-entis) is translated as “implicit”, “hidden”. This term is used in medicine to define the implicit smoothed type of course of a viral or bacterial infection. Or when the infection manifests itself, but the virion cannot be found using a laboratory test for some reason.

Many diseases can occur hidden and unnoticed, for example, viral infections such as herpes, pyelonephritis, TORCH infections, hepatitis virus and others.

Provoking factors of development

Anyone can get tuberculosis. It is often unknown where and when the source of infection can be encountered. This could be public transport, shopping centers, or medical institutions. Some people are more likely to get this disease. These include:

frequent contact with a carrier of infection;
prison workers;
people serving sentences in prisons;
medical workers;
HIV-infected or AIDS patients;
patients with diabetes mellitus;
people with tobacco addiction.

Despite the fact that people on this list are more prone to the open form of tuberculosis, in some cases it occurs in a latent form.

Latent flow - what does it mean?

Once an infection enters the body, it does not always manifest itself openly. Sometimes the virus behaves hidden, it lives quietly in a cell. After division, it passes into daughter plants, but leaves no toxins and does not cause any signs of disease at all. In medicine, this phenomenon is called the latent course of the disease.

The virus can manifest itself under certain conditions, for example, during reinfection. Then a person suddenly discovers that he is sick, although there were no prerequisites for this before.

This is not good for the patient, but not entirely bad either. You just need to be aware that this infection is present in the body, and be on guard. Because when the immune system is weakened, the disease will immediately make itself known.

Sometimes, if a virus has been in a cell for a long time and has not been able to manifest itself, its shell closes tightly, and the RNA of the virus cannot escape and create problems for its carrier. Such a virus remains sealed in the cell forever.

What determines the type of viral infection?

What is the reason that in some people the virus manifests itself immediately, while in others only the latent type of the disease is diagnosed?

Immunologists believe that the type of disease may be associated with two factors:

The body's sensitivity to the pathogen. Some types of virions cause disease only in children. And the immune system of an adult is quite strong and is not susceptible to the weak effects of the virus.
A small amount of viruses enters the body, which cannot counteract leukocytes. Therefore, the virus behaves non-aggressively. He is just trying to survive in new conditions.

The disease can be present in the body for many years and not appear until the person catches a cold. During an acute respiratory infection, the immune system weakens, there are no barriers to contain the infection, and then the first symptoms appear.

Specifics of latent tuberculosis

Everyone should know what latent tuberculosis is and what dangers it poses, since today no one is immune from infection. The disease is caused by Mycobacterium Koch's bacillus. Developing in a closed form, the disease slowly progresses and affects the body.

A sick person does not pose a danger to others, since he does not emit bacteria with exhaled air and sputum. But at any moment a transition to the active stage of the disease is possible, which can provoke infection of surrounding people.

Cytomegalovirus in adults and children

One of the so-called TORCH infections is cytomegalovirus (CMV). It affects pregnant women and causes complex pathologies in newborns. CMV also very often occurs latently. In adults, the infection proceeds almost unnoticed. Young children may experience the following symptoms:

Chronic renal failure

Renal failure can be acute or chronic; There is also a subclinical course with a very long latent period.

A patient with a subclinical course has dry mouth, general weakness, and nausea. But classic symptoms and pain in the kidney area usually do not occur. Therefore, the patient does not at all suspect that he needs to go to the doctor and have his kidneys checked. The main symptom indicating the need for testing is polyuria, which gradually turns into oliguria.

It often happens that a long latent course of CRF (chronic renal failure) leads to the need for hemodialysis. This type of therapy is used quite often. Treatment of chronic renal failure with subclinical or latent course is carried out standard. If necessary, adsorbents and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. Antibiotics are prescribed only when the causative agent of the infection is found.

With a latent course of pyelonephritis, which leads to renal failure, an increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate may be found in the analysis - above 12 mm/h. Leukocyturia is observed - up to 25 thousand in 1 ml of urine.

To investigate the causes of inflammation, if any, an ultrasound of the kidneys, angiography of the organ's vessels and also a sonogram are performed. On the sonogram you can see a cyst, an enlargement of the renal pelvis or stones in them. Only sometimes is an excretory urogram used.

It is believed that due to many man-made factors, in particular, environmental deterioration and nutritional quality, the human body’s immunity inevitably decreases. All this leads to the emergence of so-called latent infections - often asymptomatic, but affecting the condition of the body as a whole and its reproductive function in particular.

What infections are classified as hidden? The group of hidden sexually transmitted infections includes the following:

chlamydia;
mycoplasmosis;
ureaplasmosis;
gardnerellosis;
human papillomavirus;
cytomegalovirus;
herpes virus.

Every year, throughout the world and in our country, the incidence of human papillomavirus infection is increasing rapidly. These infections are transmitted primarily through sexual contact, so all sexual partners of the infected person must undergo examination and treatment. Why are these infections called hidden? The fact is that they have a long latent period, that is, a period when they do not show themselves in any way, and the first symptoms appear only when immunity decreases. However, even when in a latent stage, these infections sometimes cause irreparable damage to humans. Therefore, latent sexually transmitted infections are now considered one of the main problems of obstetrics, gynecology, urology and perinatology. What are the dangers of hidden sexually transmitted infections? Once in the body, these infections spread upward. Stage 1 infection: affects the vagina and cervix in women, the urethra and genital canal in men. At this stage, women often develop cervical erosion. And infections almost always parasitize and multiply in the erosion zone, since this area provides ideal food for any microflora - bacteria and viruses. Stage 2: uterus and appendages in women, urinary tract infection is also possible, especially with ureaplasma infection; In men, the prostate gland is affected, and in rare cases, the kidneys. Stage 3 – the infection takes over the entire body, when complaints appear from all mucous membranes: endless conjunctivitis, stomatitis, even stomach ulcers, since immunodeficiency caused by latent sexually transmitted infections “helps” other infections to enter the body. Latent infections - one of the main causes of infertility: with chronic inflammation inside the uterus, the defective endometrium can no longer accept and reliably hold the fertilized egg; inflamed ovaries do not always grow eggs rhythmically; the number of cycles without ovulation increases (i.e. the egg does not mature). And in men, the number of immobile, dead and incorrectly formed sperm in the sperm sharply increases. But sometimes pregnancy occurs during the carrier stage of these infections. The immune system of a pregnant woman is “distracted” to recognize fetal proteins. Against the background of immunodeficiency, infectious agents multiply like an avalanche. Therefore, hidden sexually transmitted infections are the most common cause of spontaneous abortion. They disrupt the contact of the fertilized egg with the wall of the uterus, and can thus lead to the death of the embryo, stopping the development of pregnancy or miscarriage. Hidden sexually transmitted infections can be detected only through examination by a doctor (gynecologist, urologist) and testing for hidden infections using the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) method. CHLAMYDIOSIS Chlamydia is an infectious disease of the genitourinary organs caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is an intracellular parasite. She prefers the mucous membranes lining the urethra, vagina, cervix, oral cavity, and less commonly the tissue of the testicles and their appendages, ovaries and fallopian tubes, and prostate gland. In some cases, with a certain hereditary predisposition, chlamydia can cause Reiter's disease (this affects the conjunctivae of the eyes, joints, and less often other organs). The incubation period after infection lasts, on average, 10 - 14 days. During this time, the parasite accumulates in such quantities that it can be detected in the laboratory. Clinical manifestations of the disease occur only in 10-20% of cases of chlamydia infection. In other cases, the disease is asymptomatic and remains a time bomb for several months, and sometimes years. With mild forms of chlamydia, men may experience scanty mucopurulent discharge from the urethra, a feeling of discomfort in the urethra, itching, sometimes pain when urinating, and redness of the urethral sponges. In women, manifestations occur even less frequently. As a rule, these are discharge from the cervical canal, erosion of the cervix, visible only to the doctor at the appointment, less often, discomfort in the vagina, during urination, itching in the same areas, as well as in the anus. In both sexes, involvement of the throat and tonsils is common. Chlamydia is very difficult to recognize. This is why diagnosis and treatment of chlamydia should only be carried out under the supervision of a qualified physician. Latent sexually transmitted infections are often combined with each other, which complicates and lengthens the course of treatment. An improperly treated disease will certainly become chronic and can lead to a lot of complications. For example, advanced chlamydia can lead to infertility. MYCOPLASMOSIS Human diseases caused by mycoplasmas are grouped into the group of mycoplasmosis. The causative agents of this group of infections, mycoplasmas, are the smallest free-living microorganisms. Mycoplasma can be present in the body as a carrier, however, under favorable conditions, mycoplasma begins to multiply and cause inflammation, which, if it persists for a long time, leads to various complications, in particular to infertility (in both men and women). Quite often, a complication is prostatitis in men and inflammatory processes in the pelvic organs in women. Mycoplasmosis poses the greatest danger to pregnant women. The disease leads not only to the development of pathological processes in the urogenital tract, but also to damage to the fertilized egg in the early stages of its development. This causes abortion or the formation of an intrauterine infection, which is fraught with the appearance of pregnancy complications such as late toxicosis and polyhydramnios. In some cases, premature placental abruption is observed. Symptoms of mycoplasmosis: scanty discharge, discomfort in the urethra - in men; vaginal discharge, more often associated with a violation of the flora due to the presence of mycoplasmas, the phenomenon of cystitis - in women. However, the course of mycoplasmosis, like all hidden sexually transmitted infections, is most often asymptomatic, which is why it is dangerous! UREAPLASMOSIS Ureaplasmosis is an infectious disease of the genitourinary organs caused by microorganisms belonging to the Mycoplasma family. These are bacteria that do not have a cell wall and are bounded by a plasma membrane, hence their name. Symptoms of ureaplasmosis in both men and women may be absent in 90-95% of cases. If the disease does not immediately take on an asymptomatic form, you may experience frequent, uncomfortable urination, scanty discharge from the vagina or urethra, itching and discomfort in the external genital area. As the disease progresses, the process involves the prostate and testicles in men, and the appendages (ovaries, fallopian tubes) in women. Pregnancy can only increase the pathogenicity of ureaplasma. During pregnancy and during passage through the birth canal, intrauterine infection of the fetus can occur. When preparing for pregnancy, and even more so if a woman is already pregnant, the couple should be examined for ureaplasmosis. GARDNERELLOSIS Gardnerellosis (bacterial vaginosis) is one of the most common infectious diseases of the genital organs in women of reproductive age. Its causative agent is gardnerella; it is also present in small quantities in the normal microflora of the female vagina. However, under the influence of many factors (infections, use of antibiotics, menstrual dysfunction, etc.), the number of opportunistic microorganisms in the vaginal microflora increases significantly, and lactic acid bacteria, on the contrary, decreases. Gardnerellosis can begin with the appearance of more or less profuse leucorrhoea, often with a specific “fishy” odor, or it can be asymptomatic, without visible signs of inflammation of the vaginal mucosa. Gardnerellosis is characterized by an excessively high concentration of opportunistic microorganisms and a sharp decrease or absence of lactic acid bacteria in vaginal secretions. At the first stage of treatment of gardnerellosis, pathogenic microflora is eliminated. Antimicrobial drugs and local treatment of gardnerellosis are prescribed. At the second stage, a normal vaginal environment is created, the number of lactic acid bacteria is restored, and measures are taken to reduce the risk of relapse of gardnerellosis. Gardnerellosis affects pregnancy. A pregnant woman with gardnerellosis is more likely to experience pregnancy complications: miscarriages, premature birth. During childbirth, when passing through the mother's birth canal, the fetus can become infected with gardnerella. Therefore, when preparing for pregnancy, a couple should be examined for gardnerellosis.

PAPILLOMAVIRUS Some types of virus can cause malignant (oncological) processes in the human body. This is especially true for papillomavirus infections of the genitourinary tract. It has been proven that cervical cancer occurs in women, often young women, against the background of human papillomavirus infection. Clinical manifestations of human papillomavirus infection of the genitals are quite varied. They can be growths (wart-shaped formations, reminiscent of cockscombs or cauliflower) on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes, as well as flat round formations that do not always rise above the surface. The latent period after infection is, on average, from 1 to 12 months, sometimes longer. In the vast majority of cases, human papillomavirus infection is combined with other sexually transmitted diseases. If papillomavirus is detected, it is necessary to examine and treat all partners with whom the patient has had sexual contact in the last 12 months. An important aspect is the possibility of a mother becoming infected with her child during vaginal delivery if she was infected and did not undergo treatment. CYTOMEGALOVIRUS Cytomegalovirus is an infectious disease caused by a virus of the herpes family, is asymptomatic and can affect internal organs and the central nervous system. In women, the virus affects the uterus and cervix, in men - the urethra (urethra) and testicular tissue. Infection with cytomegalovirus occurs in a variety of ways, since the virus can be found in blood, saliva, milk, urine, feces, seminal fluid, and cervical secretions. Possible airborne transmission, transmission through blood transfusion, sexual intercourse, intrauterine infection with cytomegalovirus, infection of the fetus through the placenta of an infected mother, during childbirth and when breastfed by a sick mother. In order for the symptoms of cytomegalovirus to appear, that is, a transition from a latent form to a clinically expressed one, provoking factors are necessary, for example, hypothermia, chronic stress, HIV infection. The most common form of manifestation of cytomegalovirus infection is acute respiratory infections, with symptoms characteristic of this disease: high fever, headache, weakness. Less commonly, cytomegalovirus causes more serious diseases: pneumonia, arthritis, encephalitis, etc. Cytomegalovirus can manifest as inflammation of the genitourinary system. This variant of the course of the disease involves the development in the woman’s genital organs of inflammation and erosion of the cervix, inner layer of the uterus, vagina and ovaries. The disease is most dangerous if it occurs during pregnancy. Infection of the fetus leads to various malformations. HERPES VIRUS The herpes virus is a silent “cohabitant” of our body, which may not manifest itself in any way for years, decades. It is embedded inside cells, including nerve cells and blood cells. Because of this, the usual methods of immune defense do not work. Under certain circumstances, when immunity sharply decreases, the infection becomes more active. There are many different herpes viruses: the most common is the so-called herpes simplex virus, which comes in two types: 1st and 2nd. Herpes simplex virus type 1 is the main cause of “colds” on the lips, blisters on the face and in the mouth. In contrast, herpes simplex virus type 2 mainly affects the skin and mucous membranes below the waist. This is the most common cause of herpetic lesions of the genital organs. These two viruses are close to each other; each of them is capable of causing a rash in a place atypical for a virus of this type. Thus, a “cold” on the lips can be caused by the herpes simplex virus of both types 1 and 2, the same applies to rashes on the genitals. The second type of virus appears on the scene during sexual intercourse; the genital herpes caused by it is asymptomatic in the majority of those infected. Therefore, many people do not even suspect that they are carriers of the herpes virus, and thus can transmit it to their partner. The only way to find out is to contact a specialist and get tested. Sometimes the herpes simplex virus manifests itself as inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, fever, fatigue, itching, and rashes. Herpes can cause a lot of trouble during pregnancy: it can penetrate the placenta into the fetus and cause birth defects, and can cause spontaneous abortion or premature birth. The risk of infection of the fetus during childbirth, when passing through the cervix and vagina, is especially likely. Such infection increases the death rate of newborns or the development of severe brain or eye damage by 50%. In this case, infection of the fetus is possible even in cases where the mother does not have any symptoms of genital herpes at the time of birth.

Antibodies LgG and Lg M

Antibodies are protein molecules that the body produces in response to the action of a pathological agent that has penetrated inside.

When the body gradually adapts and seeks means to fight a bacterium or virus, Lg M antibodies are formed in the blood. This class of antibodies makes up only 10% of all immunoglobulin fractions. But it is very active and at the same time activates other protective mechanisms.

The main immune response is provided by class G antibodies, or they are also called LgG. If a blood test finds predominantly these antibodies, it means that the disease is in an acute stage. They become active after 5 days during the normal course of the disease. But with latent LgG, the pathogenic microorganism is not noticed.

To determine some diseases, such as hepatitis of different strains, there are special tests to detect antibodies that can be performed at home.

LgG can cross the placenta to the fetus. And therefore, often at birth the child has some kind of protection, although still weak.

The healing process is indicated by Lg A antibodies usually circulating in the circulatory system. Sometimes it happens that no signs of infection were observed, but there are antibodies in the blood. This means that the disease passed in a latent form.

Clinical observations

Case 1.

Patient Yu., 26 years old, was taken to Infectious Diseases Clinical Hospital No. 2 (ICH No. 2) with complaints of increased body temperature, weakness, shortness of breath, and a feeling of palpitations during physical activity.

From the anamnesis it is known that she fell ill 15 days ago, when an increase in body temperature to 39.0 °C, sore throat, weakness, and shortness of breath during physical activity appeared. In the following days, the elevated body temperature persisted, heaviness in the right hypochondrium and darkening of the urine appeared. She was examined on an outpatient basis: a clinical blood test revealed lymphomonocytosis, atypical mononuclear cells, and a decrease in hemoglobin level to 73 g/l. She was hospitalized at ICH No. 2 with a diagnosis of “Infectious mononucleosis. Severe anemia."

Upon admission, the patient's condition was moderate. Body temperature 38.0 °C. Marked weakness. The skin is pale, there are no rashes, hemorrhages, or bleeding. The sclera is injected, and marginal icterus is noted. The mucous membrane of the oropharynx is slightly hyperemic, the tonsils are enlarged to degree II, there are purulent deposits in the lacunae. The submandibular and cervical lymph nodes up to 1–1.5 cm are palpable, dense, painless. Breathing through the nose is free. There is no nasal discharge. Breathing in the lungs is weakened. No wheezing can be heard. NPV 20 per minute. Heart sounds are muffled and rhythmic. A systolic murmur is heard at the apex of the heart. Heart rate 80 per minute. Blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg. Art. The tongue is moist, covered with a white coating. The abdomen is soft on palpation, sensitive in the right hypochondrium. Peristalsis is heard. There are no peritoneal signs. The liver protrudes from under the edge of the costal arch by 4 cm, is dense, sensitive to palpation. An enlarged spleen is palpable, dense, painless. The symptom of tapping in the lumbar region is negative on both sides. Physiological functions are not impaired. There are no focal or meningeal signs. The patient was prescribed treatment with ceftriaxone 2.0 g × 2 times/day intravenously, rinsing the oropharynx with furacillin solution, intravenous detoxification therapy with a 5% glucose solution with ascorbic acid, and diclofenac injections for fever.

During the examination: a general blood test shows a decrease in the number of erythrocytes to 1.96 × 1012/l, hemoglobin to 64 g/l, leukocytosis 17.5 × 109/l, lymphocytosis 82%, 18 atypical mononuclear cells were found among the lymphocytes. A biochemical blood test shows a moderate increase in liver transaminases (ALT 106.3 U/L; AST 165.4 U/L). Serum iron content is normal. A PCR test of the blood revealed EBV DNA; the ELISA test for antibodies to VCA showed positive IgM and negative IgG.

An ultrasound of the abdominal organs was performed: diffuse changes were detected in the liver parenchyma and pancreatic parenchyma, a significant increase and diffuse changes in the spleen parenchyma.

The patient was consulted by a hematologist, the conclusion: the blood picture corresponds to a leukemoid reaction of the lymphocytic type against the background of infectious mononucleosis of EBV etiology. Therapy with epoetin beta, folic acid, and vitamin B12 is recommended. The patient received 1 injection of epoetin beta (2 thousand units subcutaneously); then, due to the patient’s severe pain syndrome and the patient’s categorical refusal, the injections were stopped.

On the 11th day of the patient’s stay in the hospital, there is no positive dynamics from the treatment: in the general blood test, a decrease in red blood cells remains to 1.84 × 1012/l, hemoglobin to 62 g/l, a biochemical blood test shows an increased level of liver transaminases (ALT 110.4 U/l; AST 160.1 U/l). The patient was prescribed therapy with ganciclovir 250 mg 2 times/day intravenously.

On the 17th day of hospital stay, the patient complained of abdominal pain, and therefore a repeat ultrasound of the abdominal organs was performed, revealing a small splenic infarct area in the lower pole. The patient was consulted by a surgeon, and dynamic monitoring was recommended.

Subsequently, against the background of the therapy, positive dynamics are noted in the form of normalization of body temperature and regression of tonsillitis. In the general blood test, attention is drawn to an increase in hemoglobin to 96 g/l, red blood cells to 3.01 × 1012/l, and normalization of leukocyte levels.

On the 21st day of hospitalization, the patient was discharged under the supervision of an infectious disease specialist and hematologist at her place of residence.

Case 2

. Patient Zh., 25 years old, was admitted to ICH No. 2 with complaints of an increase in body temperature to 37.7 °C and a dry cough.

From the anamnesis it is known that he fell ill on March 10, 2019: weakness, dizziness, increased body temperature to febrile levels. 03/11/2019: increase in body temperature to 38.5 °C. He was treated independently: he took tilorone and azithromycin without effect. 03/14/2019: examined by a therapist at home, diagnosed with ARVI, oseltamivir was prescribed. 03/15/2019: the symptoms persisted, a single loose stool appeared without pathological impurities, a runny nose, and a dry cough. On March 19, 2019, he was examined on an outpatient basis: a plain chest x-ray was performed - no pathological changes, a general blood test showed slight leukocytosis (11×109/l), other indicators were normal. Levofloxacin was prescribed without effect. On March 21, 2019, he was hospitalized at ICH No. 2 by the ambulance service with a diagnosis of fever of unknown etiology.

Upon examination, the patient's condition is moderate. Body temperature 37.7 °C. The skin has a physiological color, moderate humidity, and no rash. The mucous membrane of the oropharynx is hyperemic, the follicles on the back wall of the pharynx, the tonsils are not enlarged, free from overlap. On palpation: peripheral lymph nodes are not enlarged. There is no peripheral edema. Breathing through the nose is free. There is no nasal discharge. In the lungs, breathing is harsh, carried out in all parts, wheezing is not heard, respiratory rate is 18 per minute. Heart sounds are clear, rhythmic, heart rate 78 per minute, blood pressure 100/60 mm Hg. Art. The abdomen is soft and painless on palpation in all parts. Peristalsis is active. There are no peritoneal signs. The liver protrudes from under the edge of the costal arch by 2 cm, the spleen is not enlarged, painless. The symptom of tapping in the lumbar region is questionable on both sides. According to the patient, the stool is shaped and discolored. Urination is not impaired. Urine is dark. There are no focal or meningeal signs.

During the examination: a general blood test revealed leukocytosis of 10×109/l, lymphocytosis of 74%, 17 atypical mononuclear cells were found among the lymphocytes, the rest of the indicators were normal. A biochemical blood test shows a moderate increase in liver transaminases (ALT 61 U/L; AST 60.4 U/L). PCR testing of blood and oropharyngeal smear did not detect EBV DNA; ELISA for antibodies to VCA showed a positive reaction to IgM and IgG.

According to ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and kidneys, there is an increase and diffuse changes in the liver parenchyma, an increase and diffuse changes in the spleen parenchyma, and moderate diffuse changes in the kidney parenchyma.

Cefotaxime 2 g 2 times/day intramuscularly, rinsing the oropharynx with a solution of chlorhexidine, cetirizine, a complex of lactobacilli acidophilus and kefir fungi were prescribed. On the 3rd day of hospital stay, due to persistent fever, antimicrobial therapy was replaced with ciprofloxacin 400 mg 2 times/day intravenously.

On the 5th day of the patient’s stay in the hospital, positive dynamics were noted in the form of disappearance of fever, and on the 9th day the patient was discharged from the hospital under the supervision of an infectious disease specialist at the place of residence.

Is it possible to diagnose a disease with a hidden course?

Finding a latent disease using conventional diagnostic methods is a rather difficult task. If the virus does not manifest itself in any way, then antibodies will not be detected in the blood. A person may mistake mild weakness, which sometimes occurs, for overwork.

Doctors are unable to detect the virus using conventional diagnostic tests because the pathogen is often mutated. And the tests are designed only for standard strains. Another reason is that the virus is still too weak. Every disease has a latent period when viruses actively multiply and gain strength to resist antibodies.

The virus can be found when it enters the active phase and begins to multiply and cause harm to the body. Or when, at the end of the latent period, it is still possible to “detect” a pathogenic organism using diagnostic tests and give it a definition.

Latent tuberculosis infection can be determined by two parameters. Firstly, if there is a marker of predisposition to the disease. Secondly, a reduced cytokine index is detected. Then a person can safely be diagnosed with “latent tuberculosis.” This means that it is necessary to plan treatment measures and register the person with a tuberculosis dispensary.

Stages of the disease

Depending on the stage of development of the disease, its effect on the body, and the stage of organ damage, the disease is divided into three stages. Diagnostic measures carried out for preventive purposes help to identify it at the first stage of development, when it is best amenable to therapy.

Development of the latent form

Tuberculosis is divided into the following stages:

primary tuberculosis infection - local “cold” inflammation occurs at the site of penetration of the bacterium. It is often asymptomatic. The further course of the disease depends on the development of this stage. If the immune system is strong enough, perhaps the body will cope with this load on its own. If the body is weakened, then tuberculosis will go into the second stage;
latent (secretive) – transition of the disease into a chronic course. At this stage, tuberculosis is not transmitted to others. The infection spreads through numerous organs, forming pathogenic foci in them. The infection does not leave the site and slowly destroys tissue.
This form is dangerous because due to the slow development of the disease, a person does not notice changes until they become irreversible.
recurrent tuberculosis - rapid damage to various organs and systems occurs. The lungs are almost always damaged, with the formation of cavities in them that break into the bronchi. Tuberculosis becomes open.
At this stage, clinical manifestations do not create problems with diagnosis, but the disease is much less treatable. If the immune system is strong enough, TB may not progress to the next stage. More often, it remains in a latent form for many years, slowly progressing and affecting the body.

Treatment

In each specific case of a latent disease, treatment will be different. Some bacteria respond to certain antibiotics, while others are difficult to treat with drugs. For example, the same cytomegalovirus is “embedded” in the cell’s DNA and it is generally impossible to “get it out” from there or to influence it with drugs. The host's body simply adapts to the pathogen.

If anicteric hepatitis B is suspected, the patient may be prescribed a special diet to support the liver. But while there are no official test results confirming the presence of hepatitis, no treatment is being carried out.