Ghon's complex, also known as the primary complex, is a lung lesion caused by tuberculosis. It is present along with pulmonary lymphadenopathy and a nearby pulmonary lymph node that retains viable bacteria, making them sources of long-term infection that may reactivate and cause secondary tuberculosis later in life. Ghon's complex has three components: a pulmonary component consisting of a 1-2cm solitary area located peripherally under a patch of pleurisy, most often in the subpleural region of the upper part of the lower lobe; a lymphatic vessel component with lymphatics draining the lung lesion containing bacilli; and a lymph node component with enlarged hilar and tracheobronchial lymph nodes

1. GHON’S COMPLEX
 Ms.SHANMUGAPRIYA.S
 Bsc.,nursing

2. GHON’S COMPLEX
Ghon’s complex is also known as primary
complex.It is a lesion seen in the lung that is
caused by tuberculosis

3. Cont..
 Ghon’s complex is present along with pulmonary
lymphadenopathy with nearby pulmonary lymph node
 It retains viable bacteria,making them sources of long term
infection,which may reactivate and trigger secondary
tuberculosis later in life.
 Typically,the inhaled bacilli implant in the distal airspaces
of the lower part of the upper lobe or the upper part of
lower lobe,usually closer to pleura.
 When there is a combination of parenchymal granuloma
and an involved hilar lymphnode on the same side,the two
together are called ghon’s complex.

4. Cont...
 As sensitization develops 1-1.5cm area of grey white
inflamation with consolidation emerges known as ghon’s
focus.
 In most of the cases,the center of this focus undergoes
caseous necrosis.

5. Differentiation:
 The ghon’s complex undergoes progressive fibrosis often
followed by radiologically detectable calcification.
Chest x ray showing
Ghon’s complex.

6. Location:
 The location of the ghon’s complex is usually subpleural
and predominantly in upper part of lower lobe and lower
part of upper or middle lobe.

7. Epidemiology
 The ghon’s complex is not always present in a patient with
primary tb infections .
 Researchers estimate that in about 15% of cases of
primary TB,a ghon’s focus may develop while 9% of cases
of primary TB may develop tuberculomas.

8. Components :
 Ghon’s complex has 3 components,
 Pulomonary component,
 Lymphatic vessel component,
 Lymphnode component.

9. Cont..
 Pulmonary component:
 1-2cm solitary area
 Located peripherally under a patch of pleurisy
 In any part of the lung but more often in subpleural
focus in upper part of lower lobe
 Lymphatic vessel component:
 Lymphatics draining the lung lesion containing
bacilli.
 Lymphnode component:
 Enlarged hilar and tracheo branchial lymphnodes in
the area drained by lymph.

10. Fate of infection:
 Ghon’s focus with enlarged lymph nodes appear after 3-8
weeks after infection.
 Heals in 2-6 months calcified.
 Some bacteria remains alive and produce latent infection.
 Most heals with or without calcification.
 Bacilli escape from the draining nodes to the circulation
and then to other parts of lung and other organs.