Tuberculosis

Definition

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, primarily affecting the lungs but can also target other parts of the body. It remains a major public health concern globally, particularly in developing countries, and is classified as both an emerging and re-emerging infectious disease due to its ability to evolve and persist despite public health efforts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tuberculosis spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, releasing tiny droplets containing the bacteria.
2. Approximately one-quarter of the world's population is estimated to be infected with latent TB, which can become active later in life under certain conditions.
3. Countries with high rates of TB often face challenges such as poverty, overcrowding, and inadequate healthcare systems that facilitate the spread of the disease.
4. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared TB a global health emergency in 1993, highlighting its impact on public health, especially in resource-limited settings.
5. Vaccination with the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine offers some protection against severe forms of TB in children but is not fully effective against pulmonary TB in adults.

Review Questions

• How does the transmission of tuberculosis contribute to its classification as both an emerging and re-emerging infectious disease?
  • Tuberculosis is classified as both an emerging and re-emerging infectious disease due to its efficient airborne transmission and ability to mutate. The bacteria can survive outside the body for extended periods, making it easy for them to spread in crowded living conditions. Additionally, factors like inadequate healthcare access and socio-economic challenges contribute to new outbreaks, while previously controlled cases resurface as treatment-resistant strains emerge.
• What are the implications of latent TB infection on public health strategies aimed at controlling tuberculosis?
  • Latent TB infection poses significant challenges for public health strategies aimed at controlling tuberculosis. Individuals with latent TB do not exhibit symptoms and are not contagious, making it difficult to identify and treat them effectively. This hidden reservoir can lead to a resurgence of active TB cases if left untreated, necessitating targeted screening and preventive measures to manage the risk of progression from latent to active disease.
• Evaluate the impact of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) on global public health efforts against tuberculosis and propose potential solutions.
  • Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) significantly hampers global public health efforts by complicating treatment protocols, increasing healthcare costs, and leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates. The emergence of MDR-TB strains is often linked to incomplete treatment regimens and poor healthcare infrastructure. To combat this challenge, strategies such as improving access to quality healthcare, implementing robust TB screening programs, investing in research for new treatments, and promoting adherence to medication regimens are essential for effectively addressing MDR-TB.

Related terms

Mycobacterium tuberculosis: The bacterium that causes tuberculosis, characterized by a slow growth rate and resistance to certain antibiotics.

latent TB infection: A state where a person is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis but does not show symptoms and cannot transmit the disease to others.

multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB): A form of tuberculosis that does not respond to at least two of the most potent anti-TB drugs, making it more difficult to treat.