Abstract:
Involvement of certain lymph glands is one of the constant manifestations of tuberculosis. Whenever primary infection with the tubercle bacillus occurs in the lungs, the bacilli multiply unchecked for a few weeks before the cellular immune system becomes fully developed. They spread via the regional glands at the root of the affected lung, to other glands in the mediastinum, and finally are discharged into the bloodstream to be disseminated to all parts of the body, including distant glands. Fortunately in most cases bodily resistance is eventually able to ensure that the vast majority of these disseminated bacilli are killed, but a few remain behind in a dormant state in various parts of the body, particularly in the apical or upper parts of the lung, and pose a potential threat for future tuberculous disease should adverse circumstances lower resistance and enable them to multiply. By means of sensitivity testing the laboratory can establish the best regimen in each case.
Page(s):
2-3
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Challenge, Volume: 27, Issue: 3, Year: 1986