Immunological Problems

• Infection: Tuberculosis Tuberculosis (TB) is commonly caused by a strain of bacterium called Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. It is neither gram-positive nor gram-negative, but instead has a waxy coating on the outside of the cell that enables acid-fast techniques to be used when staining the bug. The bacterium was first discovered by Robert Koch and earned him a Nobel Prize in Medicine. Mycobacterium prevents the acidification of the phagolysosome, thus disabling the antigen from being presented. The bacterium is eventually killed off by macrophage, which eliminates all intracellular pathogens. It can also act by sabotaging the immune system by invading macrophages and preventing the formation of secondary particles. The disease is spread through the air from one person to another through coughing, sneezing, etc. It commonly is a pulmonary disease, attacking the lungs, but can also spread to a variety of other places such as the kidney or brain. It can remain latent for extended periods of time, surfacing when the immune system is compromised for a variety of reasons. It can also be active, multiplying in the cells and causing symptoms to appear. Some common symptoms of TB include a bad cough that lasts 3+ weeks, weight loss, loss of appetite, pain in the chest, coughing up blood, chills and fever, and weakness or fatigue. If left untreated, it is fatal. The treatment regime for this disease involves 6 to 9 months of antibiotics due to the slow growing nature of the bacteria. A latent infection requires one type of antibiotics, while a drug cocktail is used to treat active infections. The antibiotics commonly used to treat TB are Isoniazid, Rifampin, Ethambutol and Pyrazinamide. If one has a latent infection, they are not contagious, but those with an active infection should take measures not to spread the disease to others. They should stay home, ventilate all areas they are in, wear a mask, and cover their mouth among other things.