Cards (46)

  • What is the shape of Mycobacteria?

    Unicellular and branched rods
  • What type of bacteria are Mycobacteria classified as?

    Gram positive
  • What is a key feature of the Mycobacteria cell wall?

    It contains sugars, proteins, and a lot of lipid
  • What staining method is used for Mycobacteria?

    Acid fast staining using Ziehl Neelson stain
  • What is the primary stain used in the Ziehl Neelson method?

    Carbol fuchsin
  • What is the purpose of destaining in the Ziehl Neelson method?

    To remove excess stain using acid alcohol
  • What color do Mycobacteria appear after the Ziehl Neelson staining process?

    Red
  • What color do non-Mycobacteria appear after the Ziehl Neelson staining process?

    Blue
  • How are Mycobacteria grouped based on their growth rates?

    • FAST growers: 1-2 days on plates (e.g., M.phlei, Msmegmatis)
    • SLOW growers: several weeks (e.g., M.tuberculosis, M.bovis)
  • Which Mycobacterium is closely related to tuberculosis?

    1. bovis
  • What is the primary pathogen associated with HIV among Mycobacteria?

    1. avium-intracellulare-scrofulaceum complex
  • What is the causative agent of tuberculosis?

    1. tuberculosis
  • What are the general clinical manifestations of tuberculosis?

    Fever, weight loss, weakness, persistent cough
  • What causes the symptoms of tuberculosis?

    Result from the inflammatory response
  • What type of infection is most common in tuberculosis cases?

    Pulmonary infection
  • How can tuberculosis spread in the body?

    It may spread to the central nervous system, lymphatic system, genitourinary systems, bones, and joints
  • What is the primary route of transmission for tuberculosis?

    Aerosol travels to alveoli of lungs
  • What happens when M. tuberculosis is engulfed by alveolar macrophages?

    If activated, the host may clear the bacteria; if unactivated, bacteria survive and replicate
  • What is a granulomatous tubercle?

    A structure formed when bacteria attract more cells and damage tissue
  • What can happen to a tubercle over time?

    It can remain silent or allow release of viable bacteria leading to reactivation
  • What does the inflammatory response correlate with in tuberculosis?

    It correlates with the degree of cavitation
  • How does HIV affect the infectivity of pulmonary tuberculosis?

    It decreases infectivity in late HIV
  • What role do steroids play in tuberculosis treatment?

    Steroids increase the rate of sputum clearance
  • What are the methods for diagnosing tuberculosis?
    • Radiology
    • Microscopy of sputum for acid fast rods
    • Culture of sputum samples on specific media
    • PCR
    • Immunological T cell response to TB antigens
  • What is the purpose of the Lowenstein Jenson medium in tuberculosis culture?

    To grow sputum samples while inhibiting other bacteria
  • What is the goal of preventive vaccination for tuberculosis?

    To prevent establishment of infection and disease development
  • What is the main antibiotic treatment for active tuberculosis?

    First line oral anti-TB drugs
  • What are the first line oral anti-TB drugs?
    Isoniazid, Rifampicin, Ethambutol, Pyrazinamide
  • What factors contribute to the varying efficacy of the BCG vaccine?

    Differences between vaccine sub-strains and genetic differences between populations
  • What is the source of the BCG vaccine?

    Derived from M. bovis by serial passage
  • What is the treatment regimen for new tuberculosis cases?

    First line oral anti-TB drugs for 6 months
  • What is the definition of MDR-TB?

    Resistant to at least rifampicin and isoniazid
  • What is the definition of XDR-TB?

    Resistant to rifampicin, isoniazid, any fluoroquinolone, and at least one injectable second line drug
  • What is required for the treatment regimen of MDR-TB?

    At least 4 potentially active drugs
  • What is one of the new drugs used for MDR-TB treatment?

    Bedaquiline
  • What is the global success rate for treating MDR-TB?

    55%
  • What are the treatment options for leprosy?

    • Dapsone is the most used antibiotic
    • Multidrug therapy may include clofazamine and rifampicin
    • Treatment for lepromatous leprosy may be for life
  • What is the causative agent of leprosy?
    Mycobacterium leprae
  • How many people were affected by leprosy in 1985 compared to now?

    15 million in 1985, now less than 0.5 million
  • What is unique about the growth of Mycobacterium leprae?

    It is non-cultivatable but can be grown in 9 banded armadillos and mouse footpads