Tuberculosis

Question 1

Global distribution of tuberculosis

Answer 1

• Not evenly distributed
• 2/3 of all TB cases in 8 countries

Question 2

How is tuberculosis spread?

Answer 2

Airborne - through the air particles
More common in poor/social risk factors

Question 3

primary form of tuberculosis

Answer 3

MYCOBACTERIA

• very slow moving
• aerobic
• very thick fatty cell wall (resistant to acids, alkali, detergents neutrophil and macrophage destruction

Question 4

Post-primary form of tuberculosis

Answer 4

Only in humans

Two main hypothesis

1. TB bacteria entering a dormant stage with low or no replication over prolonged period of time
2. Balanced state of replication and destruction by immune mechanisms

Question 5

Histopathology of tuberculosis

Answer 5

Primary infection

• no preceding exposure or immunity
• Mycobacteria spread via lymphatics to draining hilar lymph nodes
• usually no symptoms, can be fever, malaise

IN THE MAJORITY

Initial lesion + local lymph node (Primary complex)
Heals with or without scar. May calcify (Ghon focus + complex)

Question 6

Common clinical presentations of tuberculosis

Answer 6

• cough
• fever
• sweats (mainly at night)
• weight loss
• ^^^ all three symptoms

Question 7

Major groups of antituberculosis drugs

Answer 7

Isoniazid

Pyrazinamide

Rifampicin

Ethambutol

4 DRUGS FOR 6 MONTH!!!!!

Essential multiple drug therapy

(4 drugs for 2 months then 2 drugs for 4 months = 6 months drug course)

Question 8

Side effects of tuberculosis drugs

Answer 8

Hepatitis mainly