Tuberculosis

Question 1

which organism is responsible for tuberculosis?

Answer 1

mycobacterium tuberculosis (or mycobacterium bovis)

Question 2

which stain is used to find mycobacteria?

Answer 2

ziehl neilson stain

Question 3

are mycobacteria aerobic or anaerobic?

Answer 3

aerobic

Question 4

how are mycobacteria eliminated outdoors?

Answer 4

UV radiation and infinite dilution

Question 5

in what ways does the Th1 mediated immunological response both help and hinder healing?

Answer 5

eliminates / reduces number of invading mycobacteria

tissue destruction is a consequence of activation of macrophages

Question 6

when single drug treatment is used, what happens?

Answer 6

drug resistant organisms within 14 days

Question 7

how long must therapy be continued for?

Answer 7

at least 6 months

Question 8

which drugs are used for only 2 months?

Answer 8

ethambutol

pyrazinamide

Question 9

which drugs are used for 6 months?

Answer 9

rifampicin

isoniazid

Question 10

how long before the patient may be rendered non infectious?

Answer 10

2 weeks

Question 11

what are the side effects of rifampicin?

Answer 11

orange ‘irn bru’ tears, urine
oral contraceptive pill ineffective
hepatitis

Question 12

what are the side effects of isoniazid?

Answer 12

hepatitis

peripheral neuropathy

Question 13

what are the side effects of ethambutol?

Answer 13

optic neuropathy (pt should have visual acuity checked at every appt)

Question 14

what are the side effects of pyrazinamide?

Answer 14

gout