Tuberculosis Flashcards
Which drug used in the treatment of TB targets actively growing organisms?
Isoniazid
Which drug used in the treatment of TB targets semi-dominant organisms inhibited by an acid environment?
Pyrazinamide
Which drug used in the treatment of TB targets semi-dormant organisms with. spurts of metabolism?
Rifampicin
Which drug used in the treatment of TB targets completely dormant organisms?
These organisms are not killed by standard drugs
What staining method is used to detect m.tuberculosis?
Zheil-neelsson
M.tuberculosis is a fast growing organism. T/F?
False
Give an example of a molecular test which can identify TB directly from samples
Gene XPert
Which protein which is anchored to the inner cytoplasmic membrane of M.tuberculosis is a major immune stimulator during infection?
Mannose-capped lipoarabinomannan (LAM)
Which cytokine is particularly important in the immune response to TB infection?
Interferon gamma
What patient factors may result in an increased likelihood of reactivation of TB?
Immunosuppression
HIV infection
Smoking
Describe the Mantoux test for the diagnosis of TB
A standard dose of tuberculin is injected intradermally and. read 48-72 hours later
A person who has been exposed to the bacteria is expected to. mount an immune response in the skin containing the bacteria proteins
The reaction is read by measuring t he diameter of induration (palpable, raised, hardened area) across the forearm in mm.
Describe the T spot test for TB diagnosis
Counts the number of anti-TB effector T cells which produce INF-gamma in a sample of blood. Gives overall measurement of immune response against TB, which can reveal the presence of even latent TB infection.
The Montaux test is less influenced by previous BCG vaccination than the T spot test. T/F?
False - the opposite is true
What is the quatiferon Tb test?
This is a whole blood test which is used to diagnose TB infection, including latent TB by mixing blood samples with. antigens and controls
Where in the tuberculous granuloma are foam cells most commonly found?
At the rim of the necrotic centre