Tuberculosis (TB)

Definition

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection primarily affecting the lungs, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It is treated using a combination of antitubercular drugs over an extended period.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first-line antitubercular drugs include isoniazid, rifampin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.
2. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) is recommended to ensure patient adherence to TB treatment regimens.
3. Multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) occurs when the bacteria become resistant to at least isoniazid and rifampin.
4. TB can be latent or active; latent TB shows no symptoms and is not contagious, while active TB can spread to others.
5. The Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine provides some protection against TB but is not widely used in all countries.

Review Questions

• What are the main first-line drugs used in the treatment of Tuberculosis?
• What does Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) entail in TB management?
• How does multidrug-resistant TB differ from regular TB?

Related terms

Isoniazid:

A first-line antitubercular drug that inhibits the synthesis of mycolic acids.

Rifampin:

An antibiotic used as a first-line agent in treating tuberculosis by inhibiting RNA synthesis.

Latent Tuberculosis: A form of tuberculosis where the bacteria remain inactive in the body without causing symptoms.