Tuberculosis and diabetes, conceptual image. The globes show lungs (upper left) and a blood glucose monitor (lower right). In the background are the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria (green) that cause tuberculosis (TB), and the syringes of insulin used to treat diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where the body is resistant to or fails to produce the insulin needed to break down sugars in the blood. Insulin can be injected to lower the blood sugar to normal levels. Tuberculosis, a bacterial lung infection, has been linked to diabetes. Diabetes is a risk factor for tuberculosis, and tuberculosis may induce glucose intolerance.