The right lung consists of three lobes: the
superior, middle, and inferior lobes
Blood Supply
Pulmonary artery that arises from the pulmonary trunk and
carries deoxygenated, arterial blood to the alveoli
Once the blood is oxygenated, it drains from the alveoli by way of
multiple pulmonary veins, which exit the lungs through the hilum
The left lung consists of two lobes: the
superior and inferior lobes
Pyramid-shaped, paired organs that are connected to
the trachea by the right and left bronchi
Nervous Innervation
The parasympathetic system causes bronchoconstriction, whereas the
sympathetic nervous system stimulates bronchodilation
Sensory nerve fibers arise from the vagus nerve,
and from the second to fifth thoracic ganglia
The pulmonary plexus is a region on the lung root
formed by the entrance of the nerves at the hilum
Caused by
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Types of Mycobacteria
Epidemiology
In 2017, 10 million people fell ill with TB, and 1.6 million died from
the disease (including 0.3 million among people with HIV)
Globally, TB incidence is falling at about 2% per year. This needs to accelerate to
a 4–5% annual decline to reach the 2020 milestones of the End TB Strategy
An estimated 54 million lives were saved through TB
diagnosis and treatment between 2000 and 2017
Transmission
Airborne, ingestion, touch
Risk factors
Recently infected with TB
Medical conditions that weaken
the immune system
HIV infection / Substance abuse / Silicosis /
Diabetes mellitus / Severe kidney disease /
Low body weight / Organ transplants / Head
and neck cancer / Corticosteroids or organ
transplant / Crohn’s disease
Signs and symptoms
Cough
Causes of productive cough
Fever
Mechanism of fever
Pyrogen > Macrophages and immune cells are activated > IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a,
interferon gamma > Laminae terminalis > Pre-optic region > Posterior hypothalamic
region > Activate phospholipase > Induce the production of prostaglandins E2 >
Prostaglandins E2 will change the temperature set point > Peripheral vasoconstriction >
Norepinephirne increases thermogenesis in adipose tissue > Shivering
Weight loss
Blood stained sputum
Night sweats
Investigations
History and
physical
examinations
CBC
Kidney and liver function tests
Inflammatory markers and (ESR)
CSF
Biopsies or mediastinoscopy
Histological examinations
Chest X-rays, CT scan, MRI
X-ray
Typical Post-Primary)
Atypical (Primary)
Laboratory diagnosis
Starts with the collection of a specimen
Early morning sputum / Bronchoalveolar lavage
/ Gastric aspirate / CSF / Lymph node biopsy or
aspirates / Other tissue biopsies
Microscopy
Ziehl Neelsen Staining / Acid Fast Staining (Specificity of 98% /
Low sensitivity < 50% / Qualitative and quantitative)
Fluorescent staining (Auramine-Rhodamine Fluorochrome)
(Rapid and more sensitive / Expensive / Dye toxicity)
Culture (The Gold Standard)
Solid Media: Agar based (Middlebrook 7H10) / Egg based (Löwenstein-Jensen medium)
/ Culture is incubated at 35 C, 5-10%, CO2 and in high humidity. It takes 4-8 weeks / can
be reported negative after 8 weeks / Rough, tough and buff colonies
Liquid Media: BACTEC 460 / Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube
(MGIT) / Positive in 2-3 weeks / can be reported negative after 6 weeks
Radiometric culture has
faster results (3-4 days)
Molecular Methods
PCR / Molecular Line Probe Assays (LPA): DNA-based diagnostic test that
identifies multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) / Xpert MTB/RIF Assays: new
NAAT that quickly identifies possible rifampicin resistance
Tuberculin Test (Mantoux tuberculin skin test)
Injecting tuberculin intradermally, which contains purified protein derivative from
mycobacteria tuberculosis (PPD tuberculin) / Induration measured after 48-72 hours
A positive test indicates the exposer to a mycobacterium /
It can be positive in case of active TB (disease), people with
latent infections, and people who had received BCG
vaccination / A positive test in people with normal immune
system will be a 10 mm induration after 48-72 hours
Serology
Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRAs)
Measures the person’s immune reactivity to mycobacteria tuberculosis / Test that detects IFN-g
that is released by WBC when mixed with antigens derived from M. tuberculosis / The results
within 24 hours / BCG vaccination does not cause a false positive IGRA test result
Of TB Contacts
Assessment of the person's health / skin test /
Contacts with skin test reaction of an induration
diameter of >5 mm or with any symptoms of TB
disease > diagnostic tests > chest radiograph /
Specimen collection from sputum depends on the
case and not recommended for healthy contacts with
normal chest radiographs / Contacts with
susceptibility to TB > examination and diagnostic
testing > regardless of whether they have a positive
skin test result or are ill
A Notifiable disease
Other notifiable diseases (UAE)
Pathogenesis
Histology
Management
Approach Considerations
Isolate / Negative pressure / Masks / Continue
isolation until sputum smears are negative for
3 consecutive determinations