Tuberculosis
Common site of TB infection
Tuberculosis is a communicable disease
primarily affecting lung parenchyma
and is most often caused by
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It may
spread to any part of the body including
meninges, kidneys, bones, and lymph
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis
nodes.
Acid-fast staining is also called Ziehl Neelson staining. It is a type
of differential staining method used to distinguish between acid-fast and
non-acid-fast bacteria. Mycobacterium is an acid-fast bacterium which
retains the colour of carbol fuschin even after treatment with a
decolourizer. The mycobacteria species retain the primary stain’s colour
because they contain mycolic acid in their cell wall.
Diagnosis of Tuberculosis
The Mantoux tuberculin skin test (MT
test) is a common method for diagnosing
tuberculosis (TB). A small amount of
purified protein derivative (PPD), a
substance derived from Mycobacterium
tuberculosis, is injected just beneath the skin
on the forearm. After 48-72 hours, a
healthcare professional measures the
induration (swelling) at the injection site. A
positive reaction suggests exposure to TB,
but further evaluation, such as chest X-rays
and clinical assessment, is required for a
definitive diagnosis.
Antitubercular Drugs