Tuberculinic acid is a metabolic product of the tubercle bacillus. Its spelling can be challenging due to its technical nature. The word is pronounced as tjuːbəˈkjuːlɪnɪk ˈæsɪd in IPA phonetic transcription. It consists of three syllables, "tu-ber-cu-lin-ic", with stress on the second syllable. The "c" in "tuberculinic" is pronounced as "k" due to the Greek origin of the word. The final "e" in "acid" is silent, and the stress is placed on the first syllable "a".
Tuberculinic acid is a chemical compound that belongs to the class of organic acids known as heterocyclic compounds. It is specifically classified as a bicyclic compound due to the presence of two rings in its molecular structure, including a pyridine ring fused with a furan ring.
This acid is primarily derived from tuberculin, a protein substance produced by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is responsible for causing tuberculosis in humans. Tuberculinic acid serves as a marker for the presence of the pathogen and is commonly used in diagnostic tests for tuberculosis, such as the tuberculin skin test.
In the field of medicine, tuberculinic acid is crucial for detecting the exposure or infection of tuberculosis in individuals. The acid is purified and prepared into a tuberculin solution, which is then injected into the skin. If a person has prior exposure to tuberculosis, a localized reaction will occur at the injection site, indicating their immune response to the infection.
Additionally, tuberculinic acid has been extensively studied for its potential therapeutic applications. It possesses antitumor properties and has shown promising results in inhibiting the growth of certain cancer cells. Further research is ongoing to explore its efficacy in cancer treatment.
Overall, tuberculinic acid plays a significant role in tuberculosis diagnosis and holds potential as a therapeutic agent in the field of oncology.
An acid derived from cultures of the tubercle bacillus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "tuberculinic acid" consists of two components: "tuberculin" and "acid".1. Tuberculin: The term "tuberculin" originated from the Latin word "tuberculum", meaning "a small swelling or tubercle". It was first introduced by the German physician Robert Koch in the late 19th century. Koch discovered a substance that he believed could be used for diagnosing tuberculosis, a bacterial infection that often forms small nodules or tubercles in the lungs. He called this substance "tuberculin" because it was derived from the tubercles found in tuberculosis patients.
2. Acid: The term "acid" refers to a chemical compound that typically has a sour taste, can react with bases to form salts, and turns litmus paper red. "Acid" originated from the Latin word "acidus", meaning "sour".