TB

Question 1

What is the pathogen for TB?

Answer 1

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Question 2

How is mycobacterium tuberculosis classified?

Answer 2

• Smithwick method is used

* Mycobacterium is acid fast, so can’t be seen on gram stains

Question 3

Which patients are at risk of TB?

Answer 3

• Immunocompromised
• HIV
• Meningitis
• Poor lifestyle

Question 4

How is TB spread?

Answer 4

• Aerosols - droplets in the air

Question 5

What are the symptoms for TB?

Answer 5

• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats
• Chills

Question 6

What are the tests for TB?

Answer 6

• Mantoux test

* Blood test

Question 7

What is the Mantoux test?

Answer 7

• Injecting a small amount of PPD tuberculin into the skin

* If there is latent TB infection - a small, hard bump will develop at the site of injection

Question 8

What is the treatment for TB?

Answer 8

• 2 antibiotics - isoniazid + pyrazinamide

* 2 additional - pyrazinamide + ethambutol

Question 9

What are the complication that occur with TB?

Answer 9

• Lung damage
• Liver and kidney damage
• Infection of the brain and spinal cord