Tuberculosis Flashcards
What is tuberculosis (TB)?
Tuberculosis infection is caused by a bacterium called tubercule bacilli.
How is TB transmitted?
TB is spread by droplet from cough by people with pulmonary TB. The bacillus is inhaled into the lung.
What are the different types of mycobacteria that can cause TB?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex includes Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and non-tuberculous (atypical) mycobacteria.
Who is at risk of TB?
Those at risk for TB include people who are deprived (homeless, malnourished, overcrowded, vitamin D deficient), those with alcohol abuse, those in prisons, those who are immunocompromised (diabetes mellitus, HIV, steroid use), the elderly, and those who have contact with high-risk groups (certain jobs, travel to areas of high incidence).
What are the clinical presentations of pulmonary TB?
The clinical presentations of pulmonary TB include cough (productive and not improving with standard antibiotics), haemoptysis, chest pain, fever, night sweats, fatigue, and weight loss.
How is TB diagnosed?
TB can be diagnosed using a tuberculin skin test, chest x-ray, sputum culture, and nucleic acid amplification tests.
What is the treatment for TB?
The treatment for TB includes a combination of antibiotics, such as isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, for at least 6 months.
what is the route of infection for TB
what is the progression of tb
What are the initial hypersensitivity reactions seen in TB infection?
Erythema nodosum and Phlyctenular conjunctivitis.
What is the majority of cases caused by pulmonary MTB?
the majority of cases (55%) of TB are caused by pulmonary MTB.
What is cavitatory disease in pulmonary TB?
Cavitatory disease is a more infectious form of pulmonary TB.
What is a Ghon focus in the lungs?
Ghon focus is an area of central caseation and fibrosis in the lungs caused by MTB.
What is the microbiological diagnosis of MTB?
The microbiological diagnosis of MTB includes sputum/BAL, ZN stain, TB cultures 6-8 weeks, nucleic acid amplification, and PCR.
How is MTB diagnosed using Mantoux test and IGRA/T-spot test?
MTB can be diagnosed using Mantoux (Tuberculin test) and Interferon gamma release assay (IGRA)/T-spot test. The host responds to MTB infection by a delayed Type 1V hypersensitivity reaction to the tubercle bacilli, and diagnostic tools that are based on this cellular immunity have been developed.
What are some characteristics of MTB bacillus?
MTB is an aerobic bacillus that divides every 16-20 hours (slow). It has a cell wall, but lacks a phospholipid outer membrane. It does not stain strongly with Gram stain (weakly positive) but retains stains after treatment with acids, making it an acid-fast bacillus.
What are some diagnostic tools used to identify MTB complex and distinguish it from non-tuberculous infection?
Nucleic acid amplification is used to identify MTB complex and distinguish it from non-tuberculous infection, by detecting mycobacterial DNA in various body fluids such as pleural fluid, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine, etc.
What are the stains for MTB
Ziehl-Neelsen stain: bright red bacilli on blue background
Auramine-rhodamine stain using fluorescence microscopy
What kind of inflammation is associated with MTB infection?
Granulomatous inflammation
What kind of cells are typically seen in the center of granulomas in MTB infection?
Infected macrophages (giant cells)
What is the significance of cytokine secretion in MTB infection?
Secretion of cytokines (IFNγ) activates macrophages to kill bacteria
Are acid-fast bacilli typically present in granulomas in MTB infection?
Yes, acid-fast bacilli are often present in granulomas