Tuberculosis

Question 1

TB is caused by which mircro-organism?

Answer 1

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Question 2

Which population groups are at most risk of contracting TB?

Answer 2

Immigrants, HIV, drug abusers, elderly, homeless and healthcare workers (yay us!)

Question 3

Pulmonary TB presents with what symptoms?

Answer 3

• cough (80%)
• chest pain
• fever / night sweats (55%)
• weight loss (70%)
• Haemoptysis (8%)

Question 4

What type of TB is characterised by the following symptoms?
• lymphadenopathy
• fatigue
• GI
• CVS
• CNS
• bones
• GU tract

Answer 4

Non-pulmonary TB

Question 5

What does SUBEX stand for?

Answer 5

Serology - including AFB - acid fast bacillus.
Urine
Bloods
ECG
X-ray

Question 6

Which vaccine can be given pre-infection against TB?

Answer 6

The BCG vaccine. Bacillus Calmette–Guérin

Question 7

For infected patients with advanced disease what therapy do we use?

Answer 7

Quadruple therapy
RIPE
Rifampicin, Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol
for at least 2 months

Question 8

Name one key side effect to warn patients about.

Answer 8

Can cause orange body secretions.

Question 9

What screening test is used to see if people are already immunised against TB?

Answer 9

Heaf/ mantoux

Question 10

Why are drug resistant forms of TB increasing?

Answer 10

- Over the counter availability of drugs
– Inappropriate treatment regimens
– Inferior pharmaceutical preparations
– Erratic drug supplies
– Poor concordance

Question 11

TB is the most common cause of death in patients with which co-morbidity?

Answer 11

HIV