the mycobacteria

Question 1

Genus mycobacterium

Answer 1

have waxy cell walls (mycolic acids), grow slowly, are acid-fast, are aerobic, and resist many drugs and disinfectants. Pathogenic Mycobacterium species prefer a growth temp of about 30-35C.

Question 2

M. tuberculosis

Answer 2

a growing problem, particularly in AIDS patients, many strains multiply-resistant, some strains are not treatable with any antibiotic

Question 3

M.leprae

Answer 3

cause of Hansen’s disease (leprosy), extremities affected (bacterium grows best at the slightly lower temperatures found in the hands, feet,face

Question 4

M. avium

Answer 4

complex, a group of related mycobacterial species that have become a significant opportunistic pathogen in HIV/Aids patients