What is pulmonary tuberculosis (TB)?
An infection of the lung caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)
TB can also affect surrounding structures.
What are the two major clinical forms of M. tuberculosis infection?
What characterizes primary (acute) tuberculosis?
It develops in a previously unexposed and unsensitized patient, with about 5% developing significant disease
This form is the initial response to infection.
What characterizes secondary (reactivation) tuberculosis?
It arises in a previously sensitized (infected) patient, often from reactivation of dormant lesions
This can occur many decades after the initial infection.
What percentage of the world’s population is infected with TB?
One fourth of the world’s population
TB remains one of the deadliest diseases known to humans.
True or False: Only newly infected individuals can develop significant TB disease.
False
Both newly infected and previously infected individuals can develop TB.
What is the principal causative organism of TB?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)
Humans are the only reservoir for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
What type of organism is Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Strict aerobe bacilli that are slow-growing and acid-fast
Mycobacteria have specific growth requirements and characteristics.
True or False: Humans are not the only reservoir for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
False
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is exclusively found in humans.
What is the most common form of TB?
Pulmonary TB
Excluding patients with HIV infection, about 80 - 85% of adults have exclusively pulmonary parenchymal disease.
What is miliary (disseminated) pulmonary TB?
Occurs when MTB bacilli reach the bloodstream through lymphatic vessels and recirculate to the lung via the pulmonary arteries.
What is systemic miliary TB?
Occurs when MTB bacilli spread hematogenously throughout the body, prominently involving the liver, bone marrow, spleen, adrenal glands, meninges, kidneys, vertebra, and long bones.
What types of TB may develop from the spread of MTB-infective material?
Endobronchial, endotracheal, and laryngeal TB
These may develop through lymphatic channels or from expectorated infectious material.
How do MTB organisms usually enter the body?
By inhalation
MTB organisms can also enter through the gastrointestinal tract or by cutaneous or subcutaneous inoculation.
Where are inhaled MTB commonly deposited in the lungs?
In alveoli immediately beneath the pleura, usually in the distal airspaces of the lower part of the upper lobe or the upper part of the lower lobe
This specific location is crucial for understanding the pathophysiology of primary tuberculosis.
What are the initial symptoms of the turbeclousis infection?
Slight abnormalities, slight malaise, and mild fever
These symptoms indicate a low-level response to the infection.
What happens to MTB organisms during the first few weeks after infection?
They multiply freely and enter the bloodstream and lymphatics, disseminating to other parts of the body
This occurs due to the lack of sensitized CD4+ T-cells.
What is the role of sensitized CD4+ T-cells in the initial infection?
They are lacking, allowing MTB organisms to multiply freely
This absence contributes to the spread of the infection.
Fill in the blank: The initial infection may cause _______ abnormalities.
slight
True or False: The initial infection causes severe symptoms immediately.
False
The initial infection produces only slight symptoms.
What type of immunity is mainly responsible for the response to MTB?
Cell-mediated immunity (mainly by CD4+ T-cells)
MTB refers to Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.
How long does it take for cell-mediated immunity to develop against MTB?
3 to 6 weeks
This timeframe refers to the period for T-cell sensitization and immune response development.
What is the area of gray-white granulomatous inflammation in the lung called?
Ghon focus
The Ghon focus is characterized by a 1.0 - 1.5 cm area of inflammation.