Which of the Following is TRUE of Tuberculosis

Question

Which of the following is TRUE of tuberculosis?
A) the causative agent can remain dormant in macrophages
B) it used to be very common, but is now rare
C) it is caused by a virus
D) very short antibiotic treatments of just a few days are usually sufficient for treatment

Accepted Answer

The causative agent of tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) can remain dormant in macrophages, leading to reactivation of the disease later.

Answer: B is incorrect. Tuberculosis is still a significant global health problem, and in fact, it is one of the top 10 causes of death worldwide.

Answer: C is incorrect. Tuberculosis is not caused by a virus but by a bacterium.

Answer: D is incorrect. Tuberculosis treatment usually involves a long-term course of antibiotics (typically 6-9 months) to ensure complete eradication of the bacteria.