Tb Flashcards
Escrow teh epidemiology
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What is theorganism that causes Tb
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
7 closely related species
M tuberculosis
M bovis
M africanum
Describe the features of mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Non-motile rod-shaped bacteria
•Obligate aerobe
•Long-chain fatty (mycolic) acids, complex waxes & glycolipids in cell wall
Structural rigidity
Staining characteristics
Acid alcohol fast
•Relatively slow-growing compared to other bacteria
Generation time 15-20h
Gives it integrity. It is very hard to kill.. ZN stain - strong acids and alcohol used. Ahence acid alcohol oil fast. Culturing the organism takes a lot of time bc of slow growth. Cultures are kept for 6-12 weeks.
Desribe transmission
Spread is by respiratory droplets –coughing, sneezing etc
•Droplet nuclei/airborne
•<10µm particles
•Suspended in air
•Reach lower airway macrophages
•Infectious dose 1-10 bacilli
Air remains infection or 30 min
Contaigios not easy to catch
Prolong exposure facilitates transmission (at least 8 hours / day up to 6 months)
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If low grade infection - not producing many droplets - nee a big load to be infectios. And some people cough but its not productive. New person need to come into contact with droplets to get infected. Catching Tb is not infected? If someone is immunocompromised hey re more susceptible
Describe the pathogenesis
Inhaled aerosols
Engulfed by alveolar macrophages
Local lymph nodes
Primary complex (Ghon’s focus + draining LN) 5% -> (Progression to Active disease (5%) Primary)
95%->
Initial Containment of the infection
Latent Infection
-> Heals / Self cure (95%)
Or -> Post Primary TB
Compare ltbi vc Tb
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What are the manifestations of primary Tb
• Primary TB – Ghon focus/complex – Limited by CMI – Usually asymptomatic – Rare allergic reactions include EN – Occasionally symptomatic miliary /disseminated • Latent TB Generally asymptomatic. Diagnosies sometimes when being investigated for something esle. Not much damage to lung when exposed for first time. Not enough damage happening so nto fully symptomatic
What is post-primary Tb
• Reactivation or exogenous re-infection • >5 years after primary infection • 5-10% risk per lifetime • Clinical presentation – Pulmonary or extra-pulmonary Can be exposed a second time
What are risk factors for reactivation
- Infection with HIV
- Organ transplant
- Substance abuse
- Haematological malignancy
- Prolonged therapy with corticosteroids
- Severe kidney disease /haemodialysis
- other immunosuppressive therapy,
- Diabetes mellitus
- tumor necrosis factor- [TNF-α] antagonists
- Silicosis
- Low body weight
What is pulmonary, extrapulmonary and miliary Tb
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How does host immune response affect outcome
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Describe teh pathology
Caseating granulomata
– Lung parenchyma
– Mediastinal LNs
Describe teh typica Tb patient
• Non-UK born/recent migrants - Recent arrival or travel
• HIV
• Other immunocompromise states (i.e. cancers)
• Homeless
• Drug users, prison inmates
• Close contacts of patients with TB
• Specific clinical features:
Unexplained Fever, weight loss, Malaise, Anorexia
What are the symptoms of pulmonary Tb
Fever, night sweats, weight loss and anorexia, tiredness and malaise, cough, haemoptysis occasioanlly, breathlessness if pleural effusion
What are teh signs on examination o pulmonary Tb
Often no chest signs despite cxr abnormality, maybe crackers in affected area, in extensive disease - signs of cavitation, - fibrosis, if pleura involvement: typical signs of effusion