Question

List a bacterial pathogen which can be transmitted via aerosols and describe the main disease associated with it.

Answer 1

Ans: A bacterial pathogen that can be transmitted via aerosols is Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It belongs to the family of Mycobacteriaceae and causes the disease Tuberculosis. In this disease, the bacteria infect the lungs of the patient and the primary site of infection is known as 'Ghon focus' which usually occurs in the lower part of the upper lobe or upper part of the lower lobe of the lung. Tuberculosis is sometimes asymptomatic in the beginning a condition known as latent tuberculosis which then slowly progresses towards active disease. The symptoms of the disease tuberculosis include persistent cough, sputum containing mucus and blood, high fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, etc. Tuberculosis is mainly spread through the air in microdroplets and aerosols that are released by patients having an active TB infection, when they cough, sneeze, spit or speaks. It is usually diagnosed using chest X-Ray, microscopic examination of sputum, and Tuberculin skin test. TB is usually treated with the drug Rifampin or Isoniazid or a combination of both. BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) vaccine can be administered to prevent Tuberculosis.

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