24a Mycobacterium TB from Lecture then Leprosy Flashcards
What are the four types of Mycobacterial classifications?
Mycobacterium leprae (leprosy) Mycobacterium tuberculosis (human TB) Mycobacterium bovis (bovine and human TB) Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (some human pathogens)
What M. tuberculosis Complex (5)?
These are different than, but overlapping the “types” of TB.
Essentially, it is a mix of Mycobacterium that are sometimes found together in a diseased patient.
M. tuberculosis M. africanum M. bovis M. bovis-BCG vaccine strain M. cannetti
What are the general properties of mycobacteria? Gram status? Shape? Capsule status? Motility? Spore status? O2 status? Intra or Extra cellular status? Ease of producing culture?
Gram + non-encapsulated rod
Not motile
Non-spore forming
Obligate aerobe (except one species: M. bovis)
Intracellular
Fastidious (needs special medium to grow) and grows very slowly
What is the only Mycobacterium that is NOT and OBLIGATE AEROBE?
M. bovis
Describe the significance of “Acid-Fast”?
Code word: Acid fast usually = mycobacterium
Red phenol dye (arylmethane) complexes with MYCOLIC ACIDS and cannot be washed out with acid alcohol
Note: other species are also weakly acid fast
In addition to Mycobacterium, what other bacteria are also acid fast?
Nocardia (respiratory)
Actinomycoses (respiratory)
Cryptosporidium parvum (GI)
Isospora (GI)
Cyclospora cysts
Sarcocystis (GI)
However, if it is a board question that says “acid fast” think Mycobacterium TB
What are the two stains that use acid fast?
Ziehl-Neelsen stain
Kinyoun stain
What parasites are acid fast?
Mycobacterium are strongly acid fast with a thick wall of MYCOLIC ACID
Nocardia, Actinomycoses, Cryptosporidium parvum, Isospora, Cyclospora cysts, Sarcocystis are weakly acid fast with a thinner wall of MYCOLIC ACID
What is a short cut to acid fast observation?
Flourscent dye makes Mycobacteria glow and is easier to see.
What is unique about Mycobacterial cell walls?
Very thick layer containing mycolic acid (binds to red phenol dye in acid fast test)
The cell wall is so thick Mycobacterium are described as “wax ball” enclosing DNA
What is the “cord factor” of Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Two MYCOLIC ACIDS attached to TREHALOSE
Virulence factor
What is “cording” with regard to Mycobacterium?
Phenomenon of culture growth.
Mycobacterium grow in a frayed cord-like picture.
This is due to the thick cell wall of Mycolic acids and Trehalose.
Describe the slow growth of Mycobacterium?
Very thick wall leads to slow growth
eg Generation time is 20 hours
Which Mycobacterium cannot be grown on artificial medium?
M. Leprae (leprosy)
Detail: Why should we be wary of assuming TB if we see granulomas in the lungs?
Granulomas can also be due to:
Infections: mycobacteria, histoplasmosis, cat scratch, cryptococcosis, coccidio, blasto
Non-infectious: sarcoid, Crohn’s, berylliosis, Wegener’s granulomatosis, Churg-Strauss, rheumatoid, particulates
What is the significance and uniqueness of respiratory transmission of TB?
“One droplet nuclei”
A single organism can cause disease
Organisms can live in a air-floating respiratory droplet for up to 8 hours.
Droplets are very small and can pass through surgical mask. Need a special mask.
Very expensive to filter air of hospital patients.
30% infection rate in close contact!
Detail: Mycobacterium leprae
Prevalence in US: 1000 cases per year, mostly imported
Prevalence in world: 20 million!
Detail:
Prevalence in US: 1000 cases per year, mostly imported
Prevalence in world: 20 million!
What are the 4 possible outcomes when a patient inhales TB?
These are four terms to know.
Eliminated
Multiply and cause disease = primary TB
Become dormant = latent TB infection (LTBI) ASYMPTOMATIC
LTBI converts to active TB = reactivation TB disease