TB Flashcards
TB primary infection
causes an inflammatory responce
macrophages engulf bacteria
granuloma forms
granuloma tissues are anaerobic
- have dead bacteria and macrophages in the middle
TB bacteria
thick, waxy cell wall which makes it difficult to be broken down
can survive and breed inside macrophages, resisting killing mechanisms in phagocytosis
can target cells of immune system and suppress T cells
- reduces antibody production and attack by t killer cells
active TB
occurs if patient’s immune system cannot contain disease when it first arriives in the lungs
weakness of immune system
old age or very young age can slow down response to infection
malnutrition
poor living conditions
TB process
bacteria multiply rapidly and destroys lung tissue
- creates holes or cavities in lung
lung damage caused could be fatal without correct treatment
TB symptoms
coughing
shortness of breath
tiredness
loss of appetite
extreme fatigue
weight loss
fever
part of inflammatory response to TB
fever causing substances released from neutrophils and macrophages
chemicals affect hypothalamus and cause core body temperature to be raised
effect of fever
bacteria and viruses may reproduce more slowly at higher temperatures
though may also affect body cell activity
glandular TB
affects bones, lymph nodes and CNS
Main symptom is enlarged lymph glands
skin test
tuberculin injected under skin of forearm
positive test result shows inflammation at site of injection
antibodies in blood cause inflammation
shows TB antibodies are already present
blood tests
analyse blood samples for specific T cells specific to antigen on TB bacteria
identifying bacteria
analyse sample of sputum coughed up by patient
staining techniques can identify particular disease
take up of stain is specific as it depends on make up of cell wall
chest X ray
taken to discover extent of damage to lungs
