Tuberculosis

Question 1

What pathogen causes TB?

Answer 1

Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Question 2

What are systemic symptoms of TB?

Answer 2

Low-grade fever, night sweats, weight loss, malaise

Question 3

What are pulmonary symptoms of TB?

Answer 3

Cough, haemoptysis

Question 4

How can you test for latent TB?

Answer 4

Tuberculin skin testing, interferon-gamma release assays

Question 5

How can you test for active TB?

Answer 5

CXR, sputum smear, sputum culture, nucleic acid amplification test

Question 6

What might you see on a CXR?

Answer 6

Fibronuclear/linear opacities in upper lobe (consolidation)

Question 7

What are differential diagnoses?

Answer 7

Covid 19, pneumonia

Question 8

What antibiotics can be used?

Answer 8

RIPE
Rifampicin
Isoniazid
Pyranzimide
Ethambutol

Question 9

Is TB a notifiable disease?

Answer 9

Yes

Question 10

What are some complications of TB?

Answer 10

Transmission, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, ARDS

Question 11

What are risk factors for TB?

Answer 11

Poverty, poor hygiene, immunosuppression, smokers, foreign travel

Question 12

What is a side effect of rifampicin?

Answer 12

Red/orange discolouration of secretions

Question 13

What is a side effect of isoniazid?

Answer 13

Peripheral neuropathy

Question 14

What is a side effect of pyranzimide?

Answer 14

High uric acid levels

Question 15

What is a side effect of ethambutol?

Answer 15

Colour blindness and reduced visual acuity