Tuberculosis Flashcards
(21 cards)
What bacterium causes tuberculosis?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
How is tuberculosis transmitted?
Airborne via inhalation of respiratory droplets from infectious individuals.
What are the two main types of TB?
Pulmonary TB (lungs) and extrapulmonary TB (other organs).
What symptoms suggest active pulmonary TB?
Persistent productive cough, breathlessness, haemoptysis, weight loss, fever, night sweats, anorexia, malaise.
What is latent TB?
Dormant bacteria present with no symptoms and not contagious; only some progress to active disease.
What initial investigations are done if active pulmonary TB is suspected?
Chest X-ray and three spontaneously-produced sputum samples.
Name the four drugs used in the initial 2-month phase of TB treatment.
Rifampicin, ethambutol, pyrazinamide, isoniazid (with pyridoxine) - PpIER.
What is the standard duration and drugs used in the continuation phase of TB treatment?
4 months with rifampicin and isoniazid (with pyridoxine) - RIp.
How is TB treatment modified for central nervous system (CNS) TB?
Prolonged treatment (12 months total) and adjuvant corticosteroids (dexamethasone or prednisolone) for 4-8 weeks.
What is DOT therapy in TB management?
Directly Observed Therapy (supervised treatment) used for high-risk individuals to ensure adherence.
Which patient groups are typically managed by specialist teams in TB?
HIV-positive patients and those with comorbidities.
What are common treatment regimens for latent TB?
3 months of isoniazid and rifampicin (for low-risk, younger patients).
6 months of isoniazid alone (for those with drug interactions or higher hepatotoxicity risk).
Why is pyridoxine given alongside isoniazid?
To prevent isoniazid-induced peripheral neuropathy.
What defines treatment interruption in TB therapy?
Missing significant doses or breaks lasting more than 2 weeks.
What indicates immunity to TB from BCG vaccination?
Presence of a BCG scar or “bump.”
Which TB drug is associated with optic neuritis as a key side effect?
Ethambutol.
What is the main reason pyridoxine (vitamin B6) is co-prescribed with isoniazid?
To prevent isoniazid-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Name three common side effects of rifampicin.
Orange or reddish discoloration of body fluids (urine, tears), hepatotoxicity, flu-like symptoms.
Which TB drug can cause hepatotoxicity and hyperuricemia?
Pyrazinamide.
What are common side effects of isoniazid?
Peripheral neuropathy, hepatotoxicity, rash, fever.
Why must ethambutol be used cautiously in children and those who cannot reliably report vision changes?
Because it can cause optic neuritis, which requires patient reporting of visual symptoms for early detection.
