Does the risk of tuberculosis increase in old age?

Powell and Farer reported in 1980 that, while there is an increased incidence of tuberculosis among the elderly in the United States, persons over the age of 65 years did not appear to be at increased risk for tuberculosis [1]. Indeed, they stated that the elderly are "likely to be at less risk because the infection is more remote." Analysis of recent data from Arkansas appears to be at variance with this conclusion.