Question

1. What factors predispose to bronchopneumonia in immobilized persons? 2. Describe and explain the significance of a tubercle and cavitation in the process of TB infection. 3. Describe several specific precautions that could be taken by affected individuals or health professionals that would limit the spread of M. tuberculosis. 4. Describe how custic fibrosis affects the lungs and sweat glands. 5. Describe the potential complications of custic fibrosis in the lungs and pancreas.

Answer 1

1. Predisposed factors for developing bronchopneumonia in immobilized persons include:

• People with weak immune system
• People who have AIDS or alcohol habits
• People who have undergone chemotherapy or organ transplantation
• People who hot long-term treatment with immunosuppressant drugs
• People who had been hospitalized or on a ventilator before
• People who have chronic conditions like asthma or any heart or pulmonary diseases
• People who have a habit of smoking
• People being under the age of 2 years
• People over the age of 65 years

These are the risk factors for developing bronchopneumonia in immobilized persons.

2. Significance of tubercle and cavitation in tuberculosis infection:

• Tubercle is a nodule which contains caseous necrosis which is formed in lungs during an infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in tuberculosis patients.
• The other names for tubercles are tuberculosis nodules or tuberculomas.
• The affected parts of tuberculosis infection develops small nodules called lesions. For this, the tubercle is significant in tiberculosis infection.
• Cavitations are the cavities with half-filled spaces present within the lungs and they are associated with the nodules.
• The bacterium of tuberculosis destroys the tissue of lungs in a cave formation where more bacteria sits in this cave. For this, cavitation has got its name.
• A cavitation has sputum with about 1 million bacilli per millilitre.
• Cavitation is significant in tuberculosis infection as it facilitates the replication and spread of infection.

3. Precautionary measures to stop the spread of tuberculosis infection:

• Always cover your mouth with tissue or cloth while coughing or sneezing, and dispose the cloth or tissue in a plastic bag and throw it away.
• Wash your hands right after coughing or sneezing.
• Don't go in direct contact with people and don't let them contact you.
• Make sure you are getting fresh air and use a fan or open windows for the fresh air.
• Don't use public transportation.

These are the precautions which should be taken by the individuals who got affected with tuberculosis infection.

4. Cystic fibrosis affects lungs and sweat glands by interrupting the normal functioning of the epithelial cells which are responsible for making up the sweat glands in the skin. These cells also line the passageways inside the lungs. So, cystic fibrosis affects lungs and sweat glands by interrupting the epithelial cells of lungs and sweat glands.

5.

• Cystic fibrosis can cause complications in pancreas by blocking the digestive enzyme carrying tubes with the thick mucus. Due to absence of these enzymes, our body cannot absorb proteins and fats and so, we cannot get enough nutrients, which results in weight loss, diabetes and inflammation of pancreas.
• Cystic fibrosis can cause complications in lungs by leading to an allergic reaction in lungs called allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA).

Thank you!