TB

Question 1

What is TB caused by

Answer 1

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (long straight or curved rods)

Question 2

What type of organisms is it

Answer 2

Highly aerobic (needs o2) bacilli that are acid fast bacilli

Question 3

How are bacilli transmitted

Answer 3

Aerosol droplets produced by laughing coughing or sneezing. Lingers in air for several hours and on surface for months

Question 4

Classified TB

Answer 4

•Primary TB- inhaled bacilli multiply in alveoli over 3-4 weeks leading to inflammation. Macrophages tries to eat/kill
• post primary TB also called- reactive, reinforced and secondary
Disseminated TB- also called miliary : can move to eyes

Question 5

Can dormant (latent) TB infect others

Answer 5

No it’s not infectious or cannot spread

Question 6

What’s tubercules

Answer 6

Lung tissue that surrounds infected area and traps the bacilli also called gohn nodules

Question 7

How long does tubercles form

Answer 7

2-3 weeks

Question 8

What tests can be used to diagnose TB

Answer 8

Acid fast staining, sputum culture ( gold standard), QuantiFERON TB good test and mantoux tuberculin skin tests

Question 9

What’s the general management of TB

Answer 9

6-9 month treatment using isoniazid (1st line anti tuberculosis)

Question 10

What’s the biggest issue with treatment

Answer 10

Patient compliance

Question 11

Patient with TB must be isolated until when

Answer 11

3 acid fast sputum smears are negative and taken over 3 days