
What bacteria is caused by tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease caused by a microorganism called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This tuberculosis-causing bacteria is a non-motile, intracellular parasite and actually belongs to the subgroup Actinomycetes (also called filamentous bacteria ).
What organs are affected by tuberculosis?
The tuberculosis bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is the most common harmful or pathogenic bacteria that is known to instigate disease in humans of all the bacteria. Mycobacterium tuberculosis not only causes problems in the lungs and with those problems bloody sputum, hacking, chronic coughing and fever, it also causes night sweats, chest pains, …
How to cure tuberculosis?
Feb 05, 2022 · There are two main types of tuberculosis bacteria, although one is fairly uncommon. The primary type of bacteria is called mycobacterium tuberculosis. This accounts for the majority of cases and is generally treatable, especially when caught early. Other types are known as atypical tuberculosis and they come from the same family of bacteria.
How bad is tuberculosis?
The origin of M. tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, has been the subject of much recent investigation, and it is thought that the bacteria in the genus Mycobacterium, like other actimomycetes, were initially found in soil and that some species evolved to live in mammals.

What is the microorganism of tuberculosis?
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain.
What category of disease is tuberculosis?
Overview. Tuberculosis (TB) is a potentially serious infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs. The bacteria that cause tuberculosis are spread from person to person through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes.Apr 3, 2021
Is tuberculosis a virus or bacteria?
Tuberculosis is a bacterial disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB usually affects the lungs but it can also affect other parts of the body such as the brain, lymph nodes, kidneys, bones, joints, larynx, intestines or eyes. As a result, two TB-related conditions exist: TB infection and TB disease.
Is Mycobacterium tuberculosis Gram positive or negative?
tuberculosis belongs to the high G+C Gram-positive bacteria that form a monophyletic group with the low G+C Gram-positive bacteria such as Bacillus subtilis.
What is the name of the pathogenic bacteria that causes tuberculosis?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) is a species of pathogenic bacteria in the family Mycobacteriaceae and the causative agent of tuberculosis. First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, M. tuberculosis has an unusual, waxy coating on its cell surface primarily due to the presence of mycolic acid.
Where did M. tuberculosis originate?
The M. tuberculosis complex evolved in Africa and most probably in the Horn of Africa. In addition to M. tuberculosis, the M. tuberculosis complex (MTBC) has a number of members infecting various animal species, these include M. africanum, M. bovis (Dassie's bacillus), M. caprae, M. microti, M. mungi, M. orygis, and M. pinnipedii.
How long does it take for tuberculosis to divide?
M. tuberculosis divides every 18–24 hours. This is extremely slow compared with other bacteria, which tend to have division times measured in minutes ( Escherichia coli can divide roughly every 20 minutes). It is a small bacillus that can withstand weak disinfectants and can survive in a dry state for weeks.
What is the growth rate of M. tuberculosis?
Compared to other commonly studied bacteria, M. tuberculosis has a remarkably slow growth rate, doubling roughly once per day. Commonly used media include liquids such as Middlebrook 7H9 or 7H12, egg-based solid media such as Lowenstein-Jensen, and solid agar-based such as Middlebrook 7H11 or 7H10.
When was tuberculosis first discovered?
M. tuberculosis, then known as the " tubercle bacillus ", was first described on 24 March 1882 by Robert Koch, who subsequently received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this discovery in 1905; the bacterium is also known as "Koch's bacillus".
Is M. tuberculosis a genetic disease?
The nature of the host-pathogen interaction between humans and M. tuberculosis is considered to have a genetic component. A group of rare disorders called Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases was observed in a subset of individuals with a genetic defect that results in increased susceptibility to mycobacterial infection.
What is XDR TB?
Additionally, extensively drug-resistant M. tuberculosis (XDR TB) is characterized by resistance to both isoniazid and rifampin, plus any fluoroquinolone and at least one of three injectable second-line drugs (i.e., amikacin, kanamycin, or capreomycin).
What are the two types of tuberculosis?
Types of Tuberculosis. This disease can be broadly categorized into two groups as follows-. Pulmonary Tuberculosis-. This kind of tuberculosis affects the lungs. Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis-. When tuberculosis not only affects the lungs but spreads to different parts of the body from the lungs it's extrapulmonary Tuberculosis. ...
What is a DOTS?
Directly Observed Treatment Short-Course (DOTS) is a five-point strategy widely accepted and has been proved successful in treating TB. DOTS if applied effectively can prevent multi-drug resistance in the patient.
What is a pathogen?
A pathogen is something that creates disease in its host, the host can be either animal or plant life. In the case of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria the host is human.
Which bacteria causes tuberculosis?
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria is the bacteria that is responsible for causing tuberculosis, or, in most instances this is the mycobacteria behind the infection.
When was M. tuberculosis discovered?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis was only discovered in 1882 like many diseases tuberculosis was much less well understood before the discovery of the bacteria or viruses ...
Does tuberculosis cause night sweats?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis not only causes problems in the lungs and with those problems bloody sputum, hacking, chronic coughing and fever, it also causes night sweats, chest pains, chills, fatigue and the potential of infecting the other organs.
What is the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a bacillus or rod shaped bacteria. It has a unique and lipid cell wall that is composed primarily of mycolic acid and a high resistance to the human macrophages, which are part of the immune network involving antibodies and white blood cells, as well as most drugs.
What is TB in the mouth?
Gastrointestinal TB is a tuberculosis infection that affects any gastrointestinal tract part that extends from your mouth to the anus. According to experts, Gastrointestinal TB causes symptoms that are closely linked to gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease.
How many people carry tuberculosis?
According to experts, there are about 2.5 billion people who carry the M. tuberculosis germ and most of them have latent TB. Unfortunately, latent TB may turn into active TB in 5-10% of people with this germ, and the risk can even be higher to people with conditions that compromise their immune systems like HIV infection.
What is the cause of pulmonary TB?
Pulmonary TB. Pulmonary TB occurs when Mycobacterium tuberculosis attacks the lungs and can spread to other body organs. When an infected person exhales, the germs remain active in the air for several hours and when someone else breathes in the same air, he gets infected as well.
How many countries are affected by tuberculosis?
Different Types of Tuberculosis and Symptoms. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half of the world’s twenty-two (22) countries affected by tuberculosis (TB) are in Asia.
What organs do TB affect?
Miliary TB occurs when tuberculosis bacteria find their way in your bloodstream which in turn affects one or several organs such as bone marrow, lungs, and liver and can spread to other body parts such as the brain, spinal cord, and the heart.
Can you get TB if you work in a TB area?
Well, if you work in areas frequented by people infected with TB, it could be difficult to avoid contracting it, but you should be tested regularly even if they show no symptoms.
What are the symptoms of TB?
Even though active TB symptoms vary depending on whether it’s extrapulmonary or pulmonary, the general symptoms include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, fever, night sweats, fatigue, and chills.
What is TB outside of the lung called?
When it affects the lungs, it’s called pulmonary TB. TB outside of the lung is called extrapulmonary TB.
Where does TB spread?
TB can spread to the meninges from the lungs or through the bloodstream. Unlike other types of meningitis that develop quickly, TB meningitis usually develops gradually.
What is the most common type of TB?
TB lymphadenitis. TB lymphadenitis is the most common type of extrapulmonary TB and involves the lymph nodes. It tends to affect the the cervical lymph nodes, which are the lymph nodes in your neck. But any lymph node can be affected. Swollen lymph nodes may be the only symptom you notice.
How do you know if you have TB?
Symptoms of gastrointestinal TB depend on the area of the tract infected and may include: abdominal pain. loss of appetite. weight loss. change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea or constipation. nausea. vomiting. an abdominal mass you can feel.
Is active TB contagious?
Active TB is contagious and causes symptoms. Latent TB, on the other hand, doesn’t cause symptoms and isn’t contagious. Read on to learn more about the different types of TB, including several types of extrapulmonary TB.
What is TB peritonitis?
TB peritonitis is TB that causes inflammation of the peritoneum, which is a layer of tissue that covers the inside of your abdomen and most of its organs. It affects 3.5 percent. Trusted Source. of people with pulmonary TB and as many as 58 percent.
How to diagnose TB?
Different tests are used to diagnose TB, but a healthcare provider will usually start by checking for swollen lymph nodes and listening to someone’s breathing with a stethoscope. Next, they’ll likely do some additional testing to determine whether someone has active or latent TB.

Overview
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) is a species of pathogenic bacteria in the family Mycobacteriaceae and the causative agent of tuberculosis. First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, M. tuberculosis has an unusual, waxy coating on its cell surface primarily due to the presence of mycolic acid. This coating makes the cells impervious to Gram staining, and as a result, M. tuberculosis can appear …
Microbiology
M. tuberculosis was found in a complex in 2019 that has at least 9 members: M. tuberculosis sensu stricto, M. africanum, M. canetti, M. bovis, M. caprae, M. microti, M. pinnipedii, M. mungi, and M. orygis. It requires oxygen to grow, it is debated whether it produces spores, and is nonmotile. M. tuberculosis divides every 18–24 hours. This is extremely slow compared with other bacteria, which tend to have division times measured in minutes (Escherichia colican divide roughly ever…
Pathophysiology
Humans are the only known reservoirs of M. tuberculosis. A misconception is that M. tuberculosis can be spread by shaking hands, making contact with toilet seats, sharing food or drink, or sharing toothbrushes. However, major spread is through air droplets originating from a person who has the disease either coughing, sneezing, speaking, or singing.
Genome
The genome of the H37Rv strain was published in 1998. Its size is 4 million base pairs, with 3,959 genes; 40% of these genes have had their function characterized, with possible function postulated for another 44%. Within the genome are also six pseudogenes.
The genome contains 250 genes involved in fatty acid metabolism, with 39 of these involved in the polyketidemetabolism generating the waxy coat. Such large numbers of conserved genes show …
Evolution
The M. tuberculosis complex evolved in Africa and most probably in the Horn of Africa. In addition to M. tuberculosis, the M. tuberculosis complex(MTBC) has a number of members infecting various animal species, these include M. africanum, M. bovis (Dassie's bacillus), M. caprae, M. microti, M. mungi, M. orygis, and M. pinnipedii. This group may also include the M. canettii clade. These animal strains of MTBC do not strictly deserve species status, as they are all closely relat…
Antibiotic resistance (ABR)
M. tuberculosis is a clonal organism and does not exchange DNA via horizontal gene transfer. Despite an additionally slow evolution rate, the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance in M. tuberculosis poses an increasing threat to global public health. In 2019, the WHO reported the estimated incidence of antibiotic resistant TB to be 3.4% in new cases, and 18% in previously treated cases. Geographical discrepancies exist in the incidence rates of drug-resistant TB. Cou…
Host genetics
The nature of the host-pathogen interaction between humans and M. tuberculosis is considered to have a genetic component. A group of rare disorders called Mendelian susceptibility to mycobacterial diseases was observed in a subset of individuals with a genetic defect that results in increased susceptibility to mycobacterial infection.
Early case and twin studies have indicated that genetic components are important in host susce…
DNA repair
As an intracellular pathogen, M. tuberculosis is exposed to a variety of DNA-damaging assaults, primarily from host-generated antimicrobial toxic radicals. Exposure to reactive oxygen species and/or reactive nitrogen species causes different types of DNA damage including oxidation, depurination, methylation, and deamination that can give rise to single- and double-strand breaks (DSBs).