Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), commonly known as the Tubercle bacillus or Koch’s bacillus, is a pathogen of the mammalian respiratory system. It is the causative agent of the most cases of tuberculosis. MTB is an obligate aerobe and requires high amounts of oxygen to propagate. Tubercle bacilli are thin, rod shape, non-motile, and acid fast. Mycolic acid, the waxy layer on its cell surface, is responsible for its virulence and makes the bacteria resistant to
Compared with other bacteria such as E. coli, M. tuberculosis is a slow grower, dividing approximately every 15-20 hours. Culture of M. tuberculosis will require a period of 3 weeks or more.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, along with M. africanum, M. bovis and M. microti all form the TB complex. M. tuberculosis is pathogenic for humans while M. bovis is pathogenic for animals.
- In outline form discuss the steps of Ziehl-Neelsen staining
- Complete the table for National Reporting Scale (Description)
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National Reporting Scale |
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Result |
Description |
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0 |
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+n |
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1+ |
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2+ |
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3+ |
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