Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB)

Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) - Infection of the lung tissue aused by invasion of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis).

Precipitating factor:

• Malnutrition
• Ovecrowded places
• Alcoholism
• Over fatigue
• Ingestion of an infected cattle with mycobacterium bovis
• Virulence (degree of pathogenecity) of microorganism

Mode of Transmission:

• Airborne transmission via droplet nuclei

Signs and Symptoms:

• Low grade afternoon fever, night sweats
• Productive cough (yellowish sputum)
• Anorexia, general body malaise
• Weight loss
• Dyspnia
• Chest pain
• Hemoptysis (chronic)

Diagnostic procedure:

• Mantoux test (skin test)
     - Purified Protien Derivative
     - DOH 8-10 mm induration, 48-72 hours
     - WHO 10-14 mm induration, 48-72 hours
     -Positive Mantoux test (prevvious exposure to tubercle bacilli but without active TB)
• Sputum Acid Fast Bacillus
     - Positive to cultured  microorganism
• Chest X-ray
     - Reveals pulmonary infiltrates
• CBC
     - Reveals increased in WBC

Medical Treatment:
Doctors will prescribe several special medications that you must take for six to nine months.

Standard therapy for active TB consists of a six-month regimen:

• two months with Rifater (isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide);
• four months of isoniazid and rifampin (Rifamate, Rimactane);
• and ethambutol (Myambutol) or streptomycin added until your drug sensitivity is known (from the results of bacterial cultures).

Treatment takes that long because the disease organisms grow very slowly and, unfortunately, also die very slowly. (Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a very slow-growing organism and may take up to six weeks to grow in a culture media). Doctors use multiple drugs to reduce the likelihood of resistant organisms emerging. Often the drugs will be changed or chosen based on the laboratory results. The most common cause of treatment failure is people's failure to comply with the medical regimen. This may lead to the emergence of drug-resistant organisms. You must take your medications as directed, even if you are feeling better.


NOTE:
Once diagnosed with PTB, relatives and friends may need to undergo appropriate skin tests and chest X-rays for early diagnosis/ treatment.