Tubercle bacillus

Tubercle Bacillus is the common name for the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of the disease tuberculosis (TB). This bacterium was first identified by Robert Koch in 1882, a discovery for which he received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905.

Characteristics

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a small, aerobic, nonmotile bacillus. It is characterized by its acid-fast staining properties, due to the high lipid content in its cell wall. This unique cell wall also contributes to the bacterium's resistance to many common antibiotics and its ability to survive in harsh conditions.

Pathogenesis

The primary route of transmission for Mycobacterium tuberculosis is through the air. When a person with active TB coughs or sneezes, they release aerosol droplets containing the bacteria, which can then be inhaled by others. Once in the lungs, the bacteria are engulfed by macrophages, a type of immune cell. However, instead of being destroyed, the bacteria are able to survive and replicate within the macrophages, eventually leading to the development of TB disease.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of TB is typically made through a combination of chest X-rays, tuberculin skin tests, and laboratory tests such as sputum smear microscopy and culture. Treatment for TB involves a combination of several antibiotics, typically taken for a period of six to nine months. However, the emergence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) has made treatment more challenging.

Prevention

Prevention of TB involves a combination of strategies, including vaccination with the BCG vaccine, early detection and treatment of active cases, and preventive therapy for individuals at high risk of developing the disease.

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