Tuberculosis

Question 1

What is tuberculosis?

Answer 1

Infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Question 2

What is the aetiology and pathophysiology?

Answer 2

M.tuberculosis is a gram-positive, acid-fast bacillus (AFB) that is usually spread from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by breathing, talking, singing, sneezing and coughing. Factors that increase the likelihood of transmission include: the number of organisms expelled into the air, the concentration of organisms, the length of time of exposure, the immune system of the exposed person. Once inhaled, these small particles lodge into the bronchiole and alvelous- a local inflammatory response occurs.

Question 3

What are the diagnostic tests for TB?

Answer 3

Tuberculin skin test- inject 0.1ml of a purified protein derivative on the dorsal surface of a forearm. Smaller induration reactions are considered positive.

Interferon- y release assays

Chest xray- can’t rely on this solely

Bacteriological studies

Question 4

What is the management of TB?

Answer 4

2 month initial phase with four-drugs- INH, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, ethambutol.

Vaccination