Tuberculosis

Definition

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious infectious disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It primarily affects the lungs, but can also spread to other parts of the body. TB is a major global health concern, with millions of new cases and deaths reported annually worldwide.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tuberculosis is primarily transmitted through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing tiny droplets containing the TB bacteria.
2. The immune system can often contain the TB bacteria, preventing the development of active disease, but the infection can reactivate later in life, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems.
3. Symptoms of active TB disease include a persistent cough, chest pain, coughing up blood, fever, chills, night sweats, and unintentional weight loss.
4. Effective treatment for TB typically involves a combination of multiple antibiotics taken for 6 to 12 months, depending on the specific drug regimen and the type of TB infection.
5. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is a critical component of TB treatment to ensure patient adherence and completion of the full course of medication, which is necessary to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of TB.

Review Questions

• Explain the transmission and pathogenesis of tuberculosis.
  • Tuberculosis is primarily transmitted through the air when a person with active TB disease coughs, sneezes, or speaks, releasing tiny droplets containing the TB bacteria. These droplets can be inhaled by others, leading to infection. Once in the body, the TB bacteria can be contained by the immune system, resulting in a latent infection. However, the infection can reactivate later in life, especially in individuals with weakened immune systems, leading to the development of active TB disease and the potential for further transmission.
• Describe the role of Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) in the treatment of tuberculosis.
  • Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is a critical component of TB treatment to ensure patient adherence and completion of the full course of medication. In DOT, a healthcare worker or other designated individual observes the patient swallowing each dose of their prescribed anti-TB medications. This approach helps to prevent the development of drug-resistant strains of TB, which can occur when patients do not complete the entire treatment regimen. By ensuring adherence, DOT helps to improve treatment outcomes and reduce the risk of TB transmission within the community.
• Analyze the impact of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) on global public health efforts to control and eliminate the disease.
  • Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) poses a significant challenge to global efforts to control and eliminate tuberculosis. MDR-TB is a form of TB that is resistant to at least two of the most powerful first-line anti-TB drugs, making it much more difficult and expensive to treat. The emergence and spread of MDR-TB strains can undermine the effectiveness of standard TB treatment regimens, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and the potential for further transmission within communities. Addressing the threat of MDR-TB requires a comprehensive approach, including early detection, the use of more potent second-line drugs, and the implementation of infection control measures to prevent the spread of drug-resistant TB strains. Overcoming the challenges posed by MDR-TB is crucial for achieving global targets for TB elimination and improving public health outcomes worldwide.

Related terms

Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI): A condition in which a person is infected with the TB bacteria but does not have active disease and cannot transmit the infection to others.

Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB): A form of TB that is resistant to at least two of the most powerful first-line anti-TB drugs, making it much more difficult to treat.

Directly Observed Therapy (DOT): A strategy in which a healthcare worker or other designated individual observes the patient swallowing each dose of their prescribed anti-TB medications to ensure adherence and completion of treatment.