S9) Tuberculosis Flashcards
What is tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis which mainly affects the lungs, but can affect any part of the body (abdomen, glands, bones and nervous system)
Identify 3 common organisms which cause TB
- M tuberculosis (most common)
- M bovis
- M africanum
Describe the structure of mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Non-motile rod-shaped bacteria
- Obligate aerobe
- Long-chain fatty acids (structural rigidity)
How is TB transmitted?
Spread is by respiratory droplets e.g. coughing, sneezing, etc
How easily can TB be transmitted?
- Contagious, but not easy to acquire infection
- Prolonged exposure facilitates transmission (at-least 8 hours/day up to 6 months)
In 6 steps, outline the pathogenesis of TB
⇒ Inhaled infectious droplets
⇒ Engulfed by alveolar macrophages
⇒ Travels to local lymph nodes
⇒ Primary complex (primary infection – Ghon’s focus)
⇒ Initial containment of the infection (latent infection)
⇒ Either: heals/self cure (95%) OR reactivates to post primary TB
What is a Ghon’s focus?
Ghon’s focus is a calcified tuberculous caseating granuloma which represents the sequelae of primary pulmonary tuberculosis infection
Distinguish between Latent TB and TB disease in terms of the following:
- Activity
- Chest X-Ray
- Sputum
- Symptoms
- Transmission
- Testing
What is post-primary TB?
- Post-primary tuberculosis is a condition which usually occurs during the two years following the initial infection (can occur at any point)
- Reactivation frequently occurs in the setting of decreased immunity and usually involves the lung apex
What is latent TB?
A latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a condition wherein a patient is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but the infection is contained by the host’s body and is not active
Identify 5 risk factors for the reactivation of latent TB
- HIV infection
- Substance abuse
- Prolonged corticosterioid therapy
- Diabetes Mellitus (poorly controlled)
- Organ transplant (immunosuppression)
Describe the pathology & histology of tuberculosis
A caseating granuloma appears in the lung parenchyma and mediastinal lymph nodes
Identify the sites of pulmonary, extrapulmonary and miliary TB respectively
- Pulmonary TB: lungs
- Extrapulmonary TB: larynx, lymph nodes, pleura, brain, kidneys
- Miliary TB: all other parts of the body (through the bloodstream)
Most cases of TB are pulmonary and miliary TB is rare.
When is extra-pulmonary TB most commonly seen?
- HIV-infected
- Immunosuppressed persons
- Young children
Outline the clinical approach for a patient with suspected TB
- Index of suspicion
- Suggestive symptoms (history)
- Investigations
- Treatment
- Prevent transmission
Identify 5 groups of people in whom one should suspect TB
- Non-UK born/recent migrants (South Asia/Sub-Saharan Africa)
- HIV
- Immunocompromised people
- Homeless
- Drug users