I love working with Ms. TB

Well, you may have encountered the term “TB”. 

It is a contraction of the disease Tuberculosis.

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According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TB is a disease caused by a bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attacks the lungs, but it can attack any part of the body. When a person with TB disease (lungs or throat) coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings, TB bacteria are put in the air which probably inhaled by people nearby.

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Take note that TB is not spread through:

• Shaking someone’s hand
• Sharing food or drink
• Touching bed linens or toilet seats
• Sharing toothbrushes
• Kissing

Tuberculosis Statistics:

1. One third of the world’s population is infected with TB.
2. In 2013, 9 million people around the world became sick with TB disease. There were around 1.5 million TB-related deaths worldwide.
3. 480, 000 people developed multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in the world in 2013.

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Who is most at risk?

Tuberculosis mostly affects young adults; however, all age groups are at risk.

"People who are infected with HIV, children and people who smokes cigarette are at a greater risk."

What about those who are working in the laboratory?

As cited from the 5th edition of Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories, 

M. tuberculosis infections are a proven hazard to laboratory personnel as well as others who may be exposed to infectious aerosols. 

It is reported that a laboratory personnel working with M. tuberculosis is three times more at risk than those not working with the agent. The bacteria may be present in sputum, gastric lavage liquids, cerebrospinal fluid, urine and various tissues. The most important hazard is the exposure to laboratory-generated aerosols. It only takes less than 10 bacilli of Mycobacterium tuberculosis for a human to become infected with TB.

So what protection is needed?

Personal Protective Equipment

It is recommended that in dealing with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Biosafety Level 3 practices, safety equipment, and facility design and construction should be used. 

Biological Safety Cabinet
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The use of primary and secondary barriers is emphasized. 

All laboratory manipulations should be performed in a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC). Secondary barriers include controlled access to the laboratory and ventilation requirements that minimize the release of infectious aerosols from the laboratory. The use of personal protective equipment (laboratory clothing, gloves respiratory protection) is also needed for added protection.

To ensure the protection of the laboratory personnel, the environment and the community, appropriate Biosafety Practices must be followed. 

For a laboratory personnel, working with M. tuberculosis is not a problem, provided his safety is ensured by recommended Biosafety Practices. For sure, if they are assured of safety, they will always say "I love working with Ms. TB". 

For a more detailed discussion on biosafety measures when dealing with M. tuberculosis, the World Health Organization developed a Tuberculosis Laboratory Biosafety Manual.

Sources:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012. Basic TB Facts. USA. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm [Accessed August 14, 2015].

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012. Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidance for Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. USA. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/laboratory/biosafetyguidance_xdrtb.htm [Accessed August 14, 2015].

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014. Tuberculosis Data and Statistics. USA. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Available from: http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm [Accessed August 14, 2015].

 Public Health Agency of Canada, 2012. Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. Canada. Public Health Agency of Canada. Available from: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/lab-bio/res/psds-ftss/tuber-eng.php [Accessed August 14, 2015].

4. World Health Organization, 2012. Tuberculosis Laboratory Biosafety Manual. Geneva, Switzerland. World Health Organization. Available from: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/77949/1/9789241504638_eng.pdf [Accessed August 14, 2015].

5. World Health Organization, 2015. Tuberculosis. Geneva, Switzerland. World Health Organization. Available from: http://www.who.int/tb/en/ [Accessed August 14, 2015].