MRCP UK EXAMINATIONS

Detailed explanation-1: -Robert Koch, who had conducted a range of important studies on illnesses caused by microorganisms, discovered and described the TB bacterium in 1882. He later studied tuberculin, a substance formed by tubercle bacteria. It was hoped it could be used as a cure for TB, but proved ineffective.

Detailed explanation-2: -In August 1890, Robert Koch dramatically announced that he had discovered a cure for tuberculosis, and the world rejoiced. The miracle substance was subsequently revealed to be tuberculin, inoculated as a ‘vaccine therapy’.

Detailed explanation-3: -Now Koch demonstrated that tuberculosis was triggered by the tubercle bacillus. In order to trace it, special culture media, new culturing conditions and specific dyeing techniques were required. For his discovery of the tuberculosis bacterium Robert Koch was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1905.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Search for the Cure In 1943 Selman Waksman discovered a compound that acted against M. tuberculosis, called streptomycin. The compound was first given to a human patient in November 1949 and the patient was cured.

Detailed explanation-5: -Although it was suspected that tuberculosis was caused by an infectious agent, the organism had not yet been isolated and identified. By modifying the method of staining, Koch discovered the tubercle bacillus and established its presence in the tissues of animals and humans suffering from the disease.