Mycobacteria Overview Quiz

An airborne disease that's a leading killer among infectious diseases.

A group of bacteria causing TB, including M. tuberculosis (main culprit).

The primary bacteria responsible for most TB cases, especially in developed countries.

Inhalation of the bacteria; needs close contact.

Mycobacteria that are not part of the TB complex and often cause other infections.

Bacteria that require oxygen to grow, though some can survive with reduced oxygen.

Mycobacteria don't produce spores.

Mycobacteria cannot move on their own.

A unique component found in the cell wall of Mycobacterium, differing from the typical N-acetyl muramic acid.

A characteristic of Mycobacteria's cell walls that resists decolorization with acidified alcohol after staining.

A genus of bacteria having an unusual cell structure and high lipid content.

Mycobacteria have a high lipid content in their cell wall, creating a hydrophobic barrier.

Mycobacteria, while not Gram-Stained, are generally considered Gram-positive due to their resisting decolourisation

A type of mycobacterium that can cause infection after ingestion of infected milk/products

An attenuated strain of M.bovis used as a tuberculosis vaccine.

A pathogen that lives and/or multiplies within the cells of a host.

A method to diagnose tuberculosis, typically involving a skin test (tuberculin test).

A skin test used to diagnose tuberculosis infection..

Infection by the Mycobacterium organism, particularly M. tuberculosis.

Hard tubercles formed in the lungs due to immune cells.

Immune cells that try to engulf and destroy pathogens.

Death of tissue due to a strong immune response.

An immune response that takes time to develop after exposure to a pathogen.

Short for PPD test, a skin test used to detect exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Disseminated tuberculosis, often caused by a weakened immune system, where the disease spreads through the lymphatic system or bloodstream.

Low-grade fever, night sweats, anorexia (loss of appetite), weight loss, and fatigue.

Productive cough, low-grade fever, chills, myalgias (aches), and sweating.

Describes the process of TB infection from initial respiratory exposure to potential organ involvement

TB infection that affects organs outside of the lungs, such as the genitourinary tract, cervical lymph nodes, nervous system, bones, and joints.

A diagnostic test used to detect exposure to TB bacteria. It involves injecting the purified protein derivative (PPD) under the skin.

Symptoms of TB resemble infections like the flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

A weak immune system can increase the chances of TB spreading from the lungs.

Purified protein derivative of M. tuberculosis. It's a protein used in the skin test to identify exposure to TB bacteria.

A delayed immune response to M. tuberculosis resulting in redness (erythema) and firmness (induration) at the injection site, observed in TB Skin test.

Firmness or swelling at the site of the injection in the TB skin test, a sign of an immune response.

Mycobacterial species that are not part of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (i.e., not TB).

Primarily via inhalation of infectious aerosols and ingestion, but some are iatrogenic (from medical procedures).

Redness at the injection site, a sign of a hypersensitivity reaction in the TB skin test.

Diagnosis based on the diameter of induration as measured in the skin test site.

Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM) are typically NOT spread from person to person, unlike Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB).

Finding NTM in a sample doesn't always mean infection. It's common in the environment and some species are harmless.

Interpreting a positive NTM culture is tricky. It depends on factors like patient health, exposure, and NTM species.

A positive tuberculin test (≥ 5mm) is significant in: HIV patients, recent TB contact, nodular chest X-ray, and organ transplant recipients.

A positive tuberculin test (≥ 10 mm) is generally significant in individuals with no known risk factors for TB.