Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (pronounced: my-co-bac-te-ri-um tu-ber-cu-lo-sis) is a bacterium that causes tuberculosis in humans. It is a member of the Mycobacterium genus and the family Mycobacteriaceae.

Etymology

The name Mycobacterium tuberculosis is derived from the Greek words mykes (meaning fungus) and bakterion (meaning small rod). This is due to the bacterium's fungal-like growth in culture and its rod-like shape. The term tuberculosis comes from the Latin tuberculum meaning a small swelling or lump, referring to the tubercles seen in the tissues of those infected.

Description

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a small, aerobic, nonmotile bacillus. It is characterized by its strong cell wall, which is rich in mycolic acid. This makes the bacterium resistant to many common antibiotics and gives it its unique staining properties in the Ziehl-Neelsen stain.

Pathogenesis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is transmitted through the air when people who have an active TB infection cough, sneeze, or otherwise transmit respiratory fluids through the air. Most infections do not have symptoms, known as latent tuberculosis. About 10% of latent infections progress to active disease which, if left untreated, kills about half of those affected.

Treatment

Treatment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection typically involves a course of several antibiotics, including isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol. This is known as first-line treatment. In cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, second-line drugs are used.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Wikipedia's article - Mycobacterium tuberculosis

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Mycobacterium tuberculosis