Michigan Advisory Committee for Elimination of Tuberculosis (MI-ACET)
General Public Health Care Professionals Epidemiology/Statistics About MI-ACET
What Is TB?
Who Gets TB?
Transmission
Treatment
Skin Testing
Differentiating TB
TB-Like Infections
Where to Go
TB FAQs
Ingham County Tuberculosis Sanatorium, 1926 Photo: Courtesy, ALA-Michigan

TB-Like Infections

Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium africanum. There are 15 other mycobacteria species, called "atypical" mycobacteria, particularly those of the Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC) or Mycobacterium kansasii, which can also cause a TB-like illness in humans. Most often this occurs in individuals with compromised immune systems, especially those with HIV/AIDS. Other atypical mycobacterial infections cannot be transmitted person to person.

New Pavilion for Tuberculosis Soldiers and Sailors at the Detroit Tuberculosis Sanatorium, year unknown Photo: Courtesy, ALA-Michigan