TB Flashcards
TB is an infection predominately caused by which bacteria?
Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacteria are:
- gram-negative cocci shaped bacteria
- gram-postive cocci shaped bacteria
- gram-negative rod shaped bacteria
- gram-postive cocci shaped bacteria
- gram-negative spiral shaped bacteria
Mycobacteria are:
- gram-negative cocci shaped bacteria
- gram-postive cocci shaped bacteria
gram-negative rod shaped bacteria
- gram-postive rod shaped bacteria
- gram-negative spiral shaped bacteria
Which stain do you use for Tb? [2]
What colour do they appear when using this stain? [2]
Ziehl–Neelsen stain: bright- red colored rods when a is used.
Auramine: flourescent coloured
What is the most sensitive method of identifying TB? [1]
Why? [1]
TB culture
Allows identification and susceptibility testing - very important for treatment management
How does TB spread? [2]
Airbourne particles (called droplet nuclei) need to get to lungs
Can live on surfaces
Contagious, but not easily to acquire infection
What does probabilty that TB will transmit depend on? [6]
Infectiousness of person with active TB disease (lungs full of TB?)
Environment in which exposure occurred
Length of exposure
Virulence (strength) of the tubercle bacilli
Host immunity and co-morbidities
Pathogenesis of TB?
- Inhaled bacteria in droplets carried into lungs:
typically settle in subpleural area mid or lower lung zones - Engulfed by alveolar macrophages form Ghon Focus
- TB laden macrophages travel to local lymph nodes
- Form Primary complex (aka Ghon Complex) = primary TB lung infection in non-immune host (Ghon Focus, TB granuloma), plus draining lymph nodes.
- 5% Ptx have primary pulmonary TB
- 5% will control TB temporarily, but it will be reactivated later (latent): post primary TB
- 90 % have no more disease progression
What is a ghon focus? [1]
What is a ghon complex? [1]
A small lung lesion known as a Ghon focus develops. The Ghon focus is composed of tubercle-laden macrophages.
The combination of a Ghon focus and hilar lymph nodes is known as a Ghon complex
How prevalent is latent TB is in the world?
How prevalent is latent TB is in the Ptx with HIV?
- About 1.7 billion people, 23% of the world’s population, are estimated to have a latent TB infection
- HIV: 30-50% TB disease
What is biggest risk factor for mTB reactivating? [1]
All suspected and confirmed cases of TB must have an WHAT test? [1]
HIV / AIDs (due to both infections impacting T helper cells)
All suspected and confirmed cases of TB must have an HIV test
Describe 3 groups for risk factors for TB reactivation?
Immunocompromised states:
- infection with HIV
- Diabetes mellitus
- Silicosis
- Malnutririon
- Ageing
- Prolonged therapy with corticosteroids
- Other immunosuppressive therapy
- Organ transplant
Substance abuse
- IV
- Alchoholics
Others:
* Tumor necrosis factor- alpha [TNF-α] antagonists (used in RA)
* Haematological malignancy
* Severe kidney disease /haemodialysis
Treatment of which drug type is a risk factor for TB re-activation?
Prolonged therapy of corticosteroids
What is the difference between pulmonary TB, extrapulmonary TB and miliary TB?
Which Ptx populations see each in?
- Pulmonary TB: located in the lungs; most populations
- Extrapulmonary TB: located not in the lungs (Larynx
Lymph nodes, Pleura, Brain, Kidneys & adrenals, Bones and joints); younh children and HIV - Millary TB: Systemic; severly malnorished or IC
What are the roles of granulomas in TB infection? [1]
Granuloma serves to prevent further growth and spread of M tuberculosis.
Explain the pathology of primary TB
Primary TB:
- Once ingested and inside the macrophage, they produce a protein that inhibits fusion of macrophage and lysosome, which allows the mycobacterium to survive
- Proliferates, and creates a localized infection.
- About 3 weeks after initial infection, cell-mediated immunity kicks in, and immune cells surround the site of TB infection, creating a granuloma, essentially an attempt to wall off the bacteria and prevent it from spreading.
- The tissue inside the middle dies as a result, a process referred to as caseous necrosis, which means “cheese-like” necrosis, since the dead tissue is soft, white, and looks a bit like cheese. This area is known as a “Ghon focus.