Tuberculosis (Pulmonary)

Question 1

Define tuberculosis (pulmonary).

Answer 1

Pulmonary tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In many cases, M tuberculosis becomes dormant before it progresses to active TB. This is a notifiable disease.

Question 2

Explain the aetiology/risk factors of tuberculosis (pulmonary).

Answer 2

Exposure to infection
Birth in an endemic country
HIV infection
Immunosuppressive medicines
Silicosis
Apical fibrosis

Question 3

Summarise the epidemiology of tuberculosis (pulmonary).

Answer 3

According to WHO data, TB is the ninth leading cause of death worldwide, and is the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent.

Question 4

Recognise the presenting symptoms of tuberculosis (pulmonary). Recognise the signs of tuberculosis (pulmonary) on physical examination.

Answer 4

Cough
Fever
Anorexia
Weight loss
Malaise
Night sweats
Pleuritic chest pain
Haemoptysis

Question 5

Identify appropriate investigations for tuberculosis (pulmonary) and interpret the results.

Answer 5

CXR
Sputum acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear
Sputum culture
FBC
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT)