Tuberculosis Flashcards
Why was there a TB resurgence in the 1980s/1990s?
- Inadequate funding in control programs (decreased federal funds)
- HIV epidemic
- Increased immigration from endemic areas
- TB in homeless and correctional facilities
- Increase and spread in multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)
What causes TB?
Caused by mycobacterium tuberculosis
What does TB affect in the human body?
Can cause disease of any organ system, but most commonly the lungs
What is the difference between TB disease and TB infection?
Infection = Latent TB (LTBI) occurs after exposure to TB and it is controlled by the immune system. The patient is asymptomatic. Within 2-8 weeks of infection, immune system produces barrier shell around bacilli
Disease = Active Disease/Active TB happens when the immune system is no longer able to keep the bacteria under control. Risk of progression to TB disease is highest first 2 years after infection
5-10% of individuals with LTBI will progress to active TB at some point in their lives (may be soon or many years after infection) (higher chance in pts with DM, immunocompromising meds, etc.)
90-95% never progress
How is TB transmitted?
Spread from person to person through air via droplets that contain VERY small particles
The droplets can remain suspended in air for several hours
Expelled when an infectious person coughs, speaks, sings, etc. and it is transmitted when another person inhales the droplet
What increases the probability that TB will be transmitted?
- Infectiousness of the TB patient (is it pulmonary? Acid fast bacilli in sputum? etc.)
- Environment (more in poorly ventilated/enclosed areas)
- Frequency and duration of exposure (prolonged exposure to TB pt?)
- Immune status of exposed individual
What are the types of drug resistance in TB?
Mono-Resistant: resistant to a single first-line drug
Poly-Resistant: resistant to more than 1 drug but not to
Rifampin and Isoniazid
MDR-TB: Resistance to at least Rifampin and Isoniazid
XDR-TB (Extensive): MDR + resistant to fluoroquinolones and at least 1 of 3 injectable drugs
TDR (Total): resistant to all first and second-line TB drugs
What are characteristics of Latent TB Infection? (Pulmonary)
No symptoms
Patient doesn’t feel sick
CANNOT spread TB bacteria to others
Usually has a skin/blood test indicating TB infection
Has normal CXR and negative sputum smear
Needs treatment for latent TB infection to prevent TB disease
What are characteristics of Active TB Disease? (Pulmonary)
Symptoms may include: Bad cough that lasts 3+ weeks Pain in chest Coughing up blood/sputum Weakness/fatigue Weight loss or no appetite Chills/fever Sweating at night
Pt feels sick
May spread TB bacteria to others
Usually a skin/blood test indicates TB infection
May have an abnormal CXR or positive sputum smear/culture
Needs treatment to treat TB disease
What are conditions that increase the probability of progressing to active TB disease?
Immunosuppressive therapy Infection with HIV (7-10% greater risk PER YEAR) Smokers or those abusing drugs/alcohol Children DM (3x greater risk) Contacts (family members) Cancer Low body weight Silicosis High risk settings (congregate) Health care workers Gastric bypass
What are the different body sites that TB can affect?
Brain Eyes Larynx Lymph nodes Pleura Bones and joints, bone marrow (e.g., Pott's disease) Kidney Lung Pericardium Spine Adrenal glands GI/GU systems Skin (lupus vulgaris)
What are examples of extrapulmonary TB?
- Larynx = probably MOST infectious TB; others on this list, not so much
- Lymph nodes
- Pleura
- Brain
- Kidneys
- Bones and joints
Who develops extrapulmonary TB?
More likely in:
- HIV-infected or other immunosuppressed patients
- Young children
What’s the deal with disseminated TB?
It is RARE and is when TB is carried to all parts of the body through the bloodstream
What impact does race/ethnicity have on TB?
85% of cases in racial/ethnic minorities!! Over 2/3 in foreign-born people. In US, 60-70% of cases are foreign born.
Highest risk in Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders with case rate of 16.9%
Asians have next highest risk, and a case rate of 17.8%
Blacks have 5.1% case rate
American Indians have 5% case rate
Hispanics/Latinos have 5% case rate
Multiple race have 2.8% case rate
Non-Hispanic Whites have 0.6% case rate
Who should undergo targeted testing for TB?
- Contacts of people with known/suspected TB disease
- People who have come to the US within the past 5 years from highly endemic areas
- People who visit areas with high prevalence of TB
- People who live or work in high-risk congregate settings
- People with chronic medical conditions (e.g., immunosuppression)
How is LTBI diagnosed?
Mantoux tuberculin skin test (TST):
- made from proteins derived from (5 units) inactive tubercle bacilli, recognized by immune system
- most pts who have infection will have a reaction at injection site
Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) Blood tests:
- Quantiferon-TB Gold In-Tube: tube must be run within 8-24 hours otherwise hard to interpret
- T-SPOT
In active TB, these tests can be negative 2/2 immunosuppression (or maybe you have HIV); so diagnosis is more based on clinical picture
How do you read the Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test?
Read the forearm within 48-72 hours
Reaction = area of induration around the injection site that is measured in millimeters (NOT indicated by erythema)
Positive:
Induration >5 mm = close contact w/ TB pt; suspected of having TB; immunosuppressed
Induration >10 mm = kids; concomitant medical conditions that predispose; healthcare workers (increased risk of exposure)
Induration >15 mm = anyone
What might lead to a false-positive TST?
- Infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria
- BCG vaccination as a kid (but this wanes over time, so if you’re an adult and you test positive, it probably is positive)
- Incorrect measuring or interpretation of TST reaction
What might lead to a false-negative TST?
- Anergy (lack of reaction by body’s defense)
- Recent TB infection (w/in past 8-10 weeks)…because it can take up to 8 weeks for body’s immune system to recover
- Very young age (<6 mos)
- Recent live-virus vaccination (e.g., measles)
- Incorrect measuring or interpretation of TST reaction
How to interpret a positive IGRA result?
M. tuberculosis infection is likely
How to interpret an indeterminate IGRA result?
The test didn’t provide useful info
Repeat an IGRA or TST