Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). This disease is transmitted through the respiratory tract. TB usually attacks the respiratory tract such as the lungs, but can also damage other tissues. Not everyone who is infected with the Mtb bacteria develops active TB, usually the immune system can overcome the infection and only 10% develop active TB.
Causes of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Members of the Mtb family, known as the Mtb complex, that are capable of causing disease in humans include M tuberculosis (sensu stricto), M bovis, M africanum, and M canetii. Mtb is the dominant human pathogen worldwide. These bacteria are aerobic, non-spore-forming, and non-motile. Mtb is a slow-growing organism with a generation time of approximately 20 hours. Mtb is an intracellular pathogen that is capable of causing a subacute and progressive disease called active TB. These bacteria can also be dormant, meaning they are inactive within infected cells and will become active at times when the immune system is low.
Tuberculosis Risk Factors
Risk factors associated with active TB are:
- Immune compromise
- Decreased immune system function in the elderly population
- Genetic disease that causes immunodeficiency
- HIV infection
- Long-term use of corticosteroids
- Cytoreductive chemotherapy
- Transplant
- Tumor necrosis factor antagonist
- Malnutrition
- Diabetes
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
Some additional risk factors include:
- Health professional
- Parent
- Homeless
- Densely populated housing
- Imprisoned person
- Immigrant
- Children under 5 years of age
Tuberculosis Occurrence Process
TB is transmitted through droplets in the air which can survive for several hours. After inhalation, droplets can land on the upper respiratory tract mucosa and can reach the alveoli where the infection process begins. Depending on the virulence factors of the pathogen and the immunomodulatory mechanisms of the host: the bacteria can be killed, remain in a latent state, or progress to active tuberculous disease.
Signs and Symptoms of Tuberculosis
Usually signs and symptoms of tuberculosis do not appear within the first year of exposure. Some of the symptoms that generally appear in tuberculosis are:
- Productive cough for more than 3 weeks
- Weight loss
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Sweating at night
- Anorexia
- Dull chest pain, tightness or discomfort
- Dyspnea
- Bronchial breath sounds
- Hemoptysis
The Role of Physiotherapy in Tuberculosis Cases
Patients with TB complaints are generally not treated by physiotherapists because the main therapy for TB patients is medication. However, sometimes physiotherapists provide services to TB patients if the patient has special conditions, such as sputum buildup, shortness of breath, or musculoskeletal/neurological complaints. Physiotherapy can provide postural drainage to help expel secretions from the lungs.
Also read: Acute Bronchitis: What is it?
Reference:
- Bloom BR, Atun R, Cohen T, Dye C, Fraser H, Gomez GB, Knight G, Murray M, Nardell E, Rubin E, Salomon J, Vassall A, Volchenkov G, White R, Wilson D, Yadav P. Tuberculosis. In: Holmes KK, Bertozzi S, Bloom BR, Jha P, editors. Major Infectious Diseases. 3rd ed. Washington (DC): The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank; 2017 Nov 3. Chapter 11. PMID:30212088.
- Tobin EH, Tristram D. Tuberkulosis. [Diperbarui 20 Maret 2024]. Di: StatPearls [Internet]. Pulau Harta Karun (FL): Penerbitan StatPearls; 2024 Januari-. Tersedia dari: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441916/
- Physiopedia. TBC. Diakses melalui https://www.physio-pedia.com/Tuberculosis
