Mycobacterium tuberculosis Characteristics Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a non
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Characteristics § Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a non -motile, acid-fast, obligate aerobe bacterium that resists decolorization with acidified organic solvents §Considered hydrophobic due to the high lipid content in the cell wall § It is not considered gram positive nor gram negative, but instead is classified as acid-fast § M. tuberculosis is manifested more often in HIV positive patients due to a weakened immune system § High resistance to drug therapy http: //www. turbosquid. com/3 d-models/3 d-mycobacterium-tuberculosis-model/683105 § Contagious for several weeks after drug therapy is initiated A. Ryan F 2013 Modified by DYH
M. tuberculosis Virulence § M. tuberculosis does not have the classical virulence factors § Lipoamide dehydrogenase (Lpd) - helps the bacterium resist host-reactive nitrogen intermediates § Antigen 85 complex: group of secretedproteins that bind fibronectin; may help in protecting the bacterium from the immune system § Slow generation time: immune system may not readily recognize the bacterium and therefore not be able to kill it § High lipid concentration of cell wall: enables the bacterium to be resistant to many antimicrobial agents, acidic and alkaline compounds, and osmotic lysis http: //medicineworld. org/images/blogs/11 -2007/mycobacterium-tuberculosis-299290. jpg § Cord factor: known to be toxic to humans and other mammalian cells A. Ryan F 2013 Modified by DYH
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