Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells 15 cm square badge

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Copyright: MedicalRF.com Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a pathogenic bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium and the causative agent of most cases of tuberculosis (TB). First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch , M. tuberculosis has an unusual, waxy coating on its cell surface (primarily mycolic acid ), which makes the cells impervious to Gram staining , so acid-fast detection techniques are used, instead. The physiology of M. tuberculosis is highly aerobic and requires high levels of oxygen. Primarily a pathogen of the mammalian respiratory system , MTB infects the lungs. The most frequently used diagnostic methods for TB are the tuberculin skin test, acid-fast stain, and chest radiographs. The M. tuberculosis genome was sequenced in 1998. This page is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, anyone associated with the topic.