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Chapter-04 Pathogenesis of Tuberculosis

BOOK TITLE: Clinic Consult Pulmonology: Tuberculosis

Author
1. Behera Digambar
ISBN
9789386322012
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/14180_5
Edition
Publishing Year
2018
Pages
23
Author Affiliations
1. Lala Ram Swaroop Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi, India, WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Capacity Building in Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Capacity Building in Chronic Respiratory Diseases, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India; Former Director, Respiratory Diseases (Now known as National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases); National Task Force for involvement of Medical Colleges in RNTCP, Government of India; National Operational Research Committee, RNTCP, Government of India, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
Chapter keywords
Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus, reactive nitrogen intermediate, cellular immunity, host immune response

Abstract

This chapter deals with the discussion on pathogenesis of tuberculosis (TB). A person with active but untreated TB may infect at least 10–15 other people per year. Transmission only occurs from people with active TB and not with latent infection. Probability of transmission depends upon several factors: number of infectious droplets expelled by the carrier, effectiveness of ventilation, duration of exposure, virulence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain, and level of immunity in the uninfected person. In immunosuppressed states like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, immunosuppressant drug use (steroids, cyclophosphamide, cancer chemotherapy etc.), certain occupations, certain malignant diseases, and organ dysfunction states, the chances of developing the disease increases. By and large it is a self-limiting infection without progression to disease in a majority of cases. Certain other factors also increase the risk of tuberculosis. Almost any organ of the body can be affected by tuberculosis. The infection can also remain dormant for a long period of time and with certain conditions can be reactivated. Interferon-γ plays an important role in protection. In the process, the effects of proinflammatory (TNF) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10) cytokines play important roles on the spectrum of phagocyte populations (macrophages and dendritic cells) in the lung and lymph node.

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