Epidemiology & History
This bacterium is the causative agent of tuberculosis
What is Mycobacterium tuberculosis
This immune structure forms to contain TB infection in the lungs
What is a granuloma
This imaging modality often shows cavitary lesions in active pulmonary TB
What is a chest X-ray
Tuberculosis is treated using this general type of medication
What are antibiotics
A patient with chronic cough, night sweats, and weight loss most likely has this condition
What is active tuberculosis
This global organization publishes annual TB reports and tracks worldwide incidence and mortality
What is the World Health Organization (WHO)
This virulence factor in TB’s cell wall contributes to its resistance and survival inside macrophages
What are mycolic acids
This molecular diagnostic test rapidly detects TB DNA and rifampin resistance
What is PCR
Standard TB treatment typically involves this number of drugs in initial therapy
What is four drugs (RIPE therapy)
This form of TB is asymptomatic and not contagious
What is latent tuberculosis
This staining method is used to identify TB due to its mycolic acid-rich cell wall
What is acid-fast staining (Ziehl-Neelsen)
TB survives inside macrophages by preventing this cellular process
What is phagolysosome fusion
This skin test involves injection of purified protein derivative to detect TB exposure
What is the Mantoux test (PPD test)
This is the first-line antibiotic used in TB treatment regimens
What is isoniazid
A recent study showed that shortening TB treatment may involve targeting this bacterial metabolic state
What is dormant/persistent TB bacteria
This population is at highest risk for progression from latent to active TB due to immune suppression
Who are HIV-positive / immunocompromised individuals
This type of immune response is primarily responsible for controlling TB infection
What is a Th1 cell-mediated immune response
This blood test measures interferon-gamma release in response to TB antigens
What is IGRA (Interferon-Gamma Release Assay)
This term describes TB that is resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin
What is multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB)
In HIV patients, TB infection often presents atypically due to impairment of this immune cell type
What are CD4+ T cells
TB is primarily transmitted through these airborne particles expelled during coughing
What are respiratory droplets / droplet nuclei
This cytokine is critical for activating macrophages to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis
What is interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)
This differential organism can appear acid-fast but is partially acid-fast and not TB
What is Nocardia
This mechanism allows TB to develop resistance through mutations affecting drug targets
What is spontaneous chromosomal mutation
Recent research suggests new TB vaccines aim to enhance this type of immune response
What is cell-mediated immunity (Th1 response)