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deadly disease alarms doctors worldwide;
The world is in the middle of a tuberculosis pandemic, scientists say.
What was once a disease of undeveloped nations has raced across continents, with thousands of cases in Asia and Europe. The disease may infect up to two million people by 2015.
Photomicrograph of a sputum sample
containing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Courtesy: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Public Health Image Library
In the US, a case of MDR tuberculosis can cost up to $250,000 per patient. In less developed countries, such costs will likely be unmanageable for patients and health care systems.