5.4 Mycobacterium Flashcards
What is mycobacterium tuberculosis also known as?
TB
What is the general description of mycobacterium tuberculosis?
small, aerobic, non-motile, rod shaped bacteria
What type of gram stain does TB show?
weakly positive/poor gram stain
How is TB best visualized?
acid-fast staining
How is TB spread?
through the air via mucosal emissions
What must a person do to TB to get infected?
inhale it
How is TB most effectively spread?
those living in close quarters to one another
What is TB primarily categorized as an infection?
respiratory infection
Once TB enters the body where else other than the lungs can it travel and does it infect those areas?
brain
spine
kidneys
NO
What are the primary symptoms of TB?
three week cough
chest pain
coughing blood or sputum
What are the secondary symptoms of TB?
weakness
fatigue
weight loss
fever/chills
How can TB be tested for?
skin test or blood test
How is the skin test for TB conducted?
purified protein extract of tubercle bacillus is under the skin of the arm
What will you see on the skin test if previously exposed to TB?
raised, red bump at site of injection
What are the current treatment strategies for TB?
combination of drugs isoniazid, rifampin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide
