Tuberculosis bacillus

Tuberculosis bacillus: Description

The tuberculosis bacillus is the bacterial causative agent of tuberculosis. It is a rod-shaped, single-celled bacterium with extremely thin walls and many chromosomes. Its scientific name is Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The rod is easily amenable to microscopy, but to diagnose the disease, cultures on special nutrient media are used. It has important properties:

Aerobes form pigmentation. This means that the rod grows only in the atmosphere and requires oxygen for its life. The growth of the tuberculosis bacillus promotes the release of a specific pigment, which colors the infiltrates dark red or brownish-red. Their sizes range from 1.5-2.0 to 8.0 microns * 15 microns. They can be gram-positive or gram-negative, their shape is thick and fusiform, and their width is 1-2 µm. They may release exotoxin. have the ability to penetrate the protective mechanisms of the cells of the bronchi and lungs, especially in persons with a weakened immune system. They can survive in the environment for up to two years, even at moderate temperatures and high humidity. They can survive even in acidic conditions (pH below 3) and low temperatures (-70°C). They produce a large amount of substances that cause granuloma formation and inflammation. These pathogens can also produce specific virulence factors and resistance to