Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Definition

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogenic bacterial species in the Mycobacteriaceae family, responsible for causing tuberculosis (TB). It primarily affects the lungs but can also infect other parts of the body.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. M. tuberculosis is an acid-fast bacterium identified using Ziehl-Neelsen staining due to its waxy cell wall.
2. It grows slowly with a generation time of approximately 15-20 hours, making it challenging to culture in laboratories.
3. The bacterium is aerobic and thrives in oxygen-rich environments like the lungs.
4. Transmission occurs through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
5. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) arises when M. tuberculosis becomes resistant to first-line antimicrobial drugs such as isoniazid and rifampicin.

Review Questions

• What staining technique is used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis and why?
• How does Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily transmit from one individual to another?
• What are the implications of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) on treatment?

Related terms

Acid-Fast Staining:

A differential staining technique used to identify acid-fast organisms like Mycobacterium species.

Latent TB Infection: A condition where M. tuberculosis remains dormant in the body without causing active disease.

BCG Vaccine:

A vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis, derived from a strain of Mycobacterium bovis.