8.1 The Impact of Nutrition on Endocrine Wellness Across the Lifespan
4 min read•june 18, 2024
Tuberculosis, a bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs, poses a significant global health challenge. Understanding its pathophysiology and diagnostic methods is crucial for effective management. This section explores how TB spreads, its symptoms, and various tests used for diagnosis.
Antitubercular drugs play a vital role in treating TB, with first-line and second-line options available. We'll examine these medications, their mechanisms of action, and potential side effects. Nursing considerations and patient education are key to ensuring successful treatment outcomes.
Tuberculosis Pathophysiology and Diagnosis
Pathophysiology of tuberculosis
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Top images from around the web for Pathophysiology of tuberculosis
Frontiers | The Influence of Nutritional Factors on Immunological Outcomes View original
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Inflammatory proteins offer insights into how TB spreads in the lungs | UCT News View original
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Frontiers | Evolution of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains and Their Adaptation ... View original
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Frontiers | The Influence of Nutritional Factors on Immunological Outcomes View original
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Inflammatory proteins offer insights into how TB spreads in the lungs | UCT News View original
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Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria
Spreads through inhalation of airborne droplets from infected person (coughing, sneezing)
M. tuberculosis primarily infects lungs (pulmonary TB)
Can spread to other organs (extrapulmonary TB) (lymph nodes, bones, meninges)
Bacteria engulfed by immune cells (macrophages) but survive within them
Leads to formation of granulomas containing bacteria
Granulomas can rupture releasing bacteria causing tissue damage and spread of infection
Active TB manifests with chronic cough >2-3 weeks
Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
Fever night sweats weight loss
Chest pain shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) occurs when individuals are infected but asymptomatic and not contagious
Diagnostic methods for tuberculosis
Tuberculin skin test (TST) or purified derivative (PPD) test
Intradermal injection of TB antigens
Positive result indicates TB exposure but not necessarily active disease
Interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs)
Blood tests measuring immune response to TB antigens
More specific than TST less affected by prior BCG vaccination
Chest X-ray shows characteristic findings of TB
Cavities or infiltrates in upper lung lobes
Sputum smear microscopy and culture
Acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining of sputum samples
Culture is gold standard for diagnosing active TB
Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs)
Rapid molecular tests detecting M. tuberculosis DNA
Used for early detection and identifying drug resistance