Pathophysiology of Koch’s Disease
(Tuberculosis)
Predisposing Factors: Precipitating Factors:
• Age - Occupation (e.g Health Workers)
• Immunosuppression - Repeated close contact w/ infected
persons
o Prolonged corticosteroid therapy - Indefinite substance abuse via IV
• Systemic Infection: - recurrence of infection
o Diabetes Mellitus
o End-stage Renal Disease
o HIV or AIDS infection
Exposure or inhalation of infected
Aerosol through droplet nuclei
(exposure to infected clients by coughing,
sneezing, talking)
Tubercle bacilli invasion in the apices of the
Lungs or near the pleurae of the lower lobes
Bronchopneumonia develops in the lung tissue
(Phagocytosed tubercle bacilli are ingested by macrophages)
bacterial cell wall binds with macrophages
arrest of a phagosome which results to bacilli replication
Necrotic Degeneration occurs
(production of cavities filled with cheese-like
mass of tubercle bacilli, dead WBCs, necrotic lung tissue)
drainage of necrotic materials into the
tracheobronchial tree
(eruption of coughing, formation of lesions)
PRIMARY INFECTION
Lesions may calcify (Ghon’s Complex)
and form scars and may heal
over a period of time
Tubercle bacilli immunity develops
(2 to 6 weeks after infection)
(maintains in the body as long as living
bacilli remains in the body)
Acquired immunity leads to further growth
Of bacilli and development of ACTIVE INFECTION
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Pulmonary Symptoms: General Symptoms:
• Dyspnea - Fatigue
• Non-productive or productive cough - anorexia
• Hemoptysis (blood tinge sputum) - Weight loss
• Chest pain that may be pleuritic or dull - low grade fever with
chills and
• Chest tightness sweats (often at night)
• Crackles may be present on auscultation
With Medical Intervention Without Medical intervention
• Early detection/ diagnosis of the dse Reactivation of the tubercle bacilli
• Multi-antibacterial therapy (Due to repeated exposure to infected
• Fixed- dose therapy Individuals, Immunosuppression)
• TB DOTS (Direct Observed Therapy) SECONDARY INFECTION
• BCG vaccination
Severe occurrence of lesions in the lungs
No Recurrence Recurrence
Cavitation in the lungs occurs
Good Prognosis Bad Prognosis
Active infection is spread throughout
the body systems
(infiltration of tubercle bacilli in other organs)
TB of the Bones
Pott’s Disease
Renal TB
SEVERE OCCURRENCE OF
INFECTION
Client becomes clinically ill
BAD PROGNOSIS
DEATH