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Glossary

AIDS (Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome): A severe immunological disorder caused by the retrovirus HIV, resulting in a defect in cell-mediated immune response that is manifested by increased susceptibility to opportunistic infections and to certain rare cancers, especially Kaposi's sarcoma. It is transmitted primarily by exposure to contaminated body fluids, especially blood and semen.

Bacilli: Any rod-shaped bacteria (i.e. long and slender)

Bacteria: Bacteria are the smallest of microscopic organisms. Single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission. Certain species are active agents in fermentation, while others appear to be the cause of certain infectious diseases (commonly called "germs")

Bovine: Relating to the ox or cow

CD4: a large glycoprotein that is found on the surface of T4 cells and is the receptor for HIV

Chemotherapy: The use of chemical agents (drugs) to treat or control disease

Complex: A group of species which share similar qualities, and are (or were) thought to be similar enough to be considered as one. For example, the "tuberculosis complex" referred to here includes several types of mycobacteria that cause tuberculosis in humans, only one of which is mycobacteria tuberculosis.

Consumption: Another name for Tuberculosis, Commonly used before the 20th century. People who had consumption were referred to as consumptives

DOTs: See Directly Observed Treatments

Directly Observed Treatment: The process whereby the ingestion of every dose of medication is directly observed. This method overcomes the problem of patients not taking their medicine as prescribed, which will lead to drug resistance.

Epidemic: A disease which affects a large number in a community, all at the same time.

Epidemiology: The branch of medical science dealing with the transmission and control of disease in populations

Ethambutol: An antitubercular that inhibits the transfer of mycolic acids into the cell wall of the tubercle bacillus. It may also inhibit the synthesis of spermidine in mycobacteria. The action is usually bactericidal, and the drug can penetrate human cell membranes to exert its lethal effect.

HIV: A retrovirus that causes AIDS by infecting helper T cells of the immune system

Infection: The state of being contaminated by disease-causing bacteria.

Infectious: Having the capabilities to pass a disease on to another person.

Isoniazid: An orally administered drug used to eliminate tuberculosis infection in people without active disease. INH is also administered in combination with other drugs to treat active tuberculosis. Isoniazid is a crystalline antibacterial compound

Macrophage: Any of the large phagocytic cells

Mucous: A gelatinous or slimy substance which is coughed up from the respitory system.

Phagocyte: A cell, such as a white blood cell, that engulfs and absorbs waste material, harmful microorganisms, or other foreign bodies in the bloodstream and tissues

Phagocytosis: The engulfing and ingestion of bacteria or other foreign bodies by phagocytes

Phthisis: An ancient term for TB.

Pyrazinamide: A pyrazine that is used therapeutically as an antitubercular agent

Rifampin: A semi-synthetic antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial and viral diseases

Sanatorium: Hospital, or clinics dedicated to the treatment of tuberculosis

Smear: A test to see whether there are TB bacteria in your phlegm. To do this test, lab workers smear the phlegm on a glass slide, stain the slide with a special stain, and look for any TB bacteria on the slide. If a person is "smear-positive", this means the lab found some TB bacteria on their smear. This test usually takes 1 day.

Sputum: Phlegm coughed up from deep inside the lungs. Sputum is examined for TB bacteria using a smear; part of the sputum can also be used to do a culture.

Streptomycin: An antibiotic, C21H39O12N7, produced by the actinomycete Streptomyces griseus, used to treat tuberculosis and other bacterial infections.

T-cell: Involved primarily in controlling cell mediated immune reactions and in the control of B-cell development. The T-cells coordinate the immune system by secreting lymphokine hormones.

Tubercle: The deposit which accompanies tuberculosis. It is most frequently found in the lungs, and causes tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis: Infected by, or having to do with tuberculosis

Background:
Biology | Current Situation | Case Studies | Glossary