Mycobacterium

Mycobacterium is a genus of bacteria, with about 190 species.The genus includes pathogens known to cause serious diseases in mammals, including tuberculosis ("Mycobacterium tuberculosis") and leprosy ("Mycobacterium leprae"). Mycobacteria are immobile and are rod-shaped. They are mostly found in water, soil, and dust.
The colony colour ranges from white to orange to pink (Iivanainen, 1999). Most mycobacteria need oxygen to survive (aerobic organisms), although some species require very little amounts of oxygen, less than what is present in the air, are called (microaerophilic bacteria) (Falkinham, 1996).
Mycobacteria can be categorized into three groups:
1.     Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex – causative pathogen of tuberculosis
2.     Non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM)
3.     "Mycobacterium leprae" – causative pathogen of leprosy
Mycobacteria can colonize their hosts without the hosts showing any adverse signs. Many people around the world have infections of "M. tuberculosis" without showing any signs of it.
Mycobacterial infections are difficult to treat. The organisms are tough due to their cell wall. In addition, they are naturally resistant to a number of antibiotics that disrupt cell-wall building, such as penicillin. With their unique cell wall, they can survive long exposure to acids, alkalis, detergents, oxidative bursts, lysis by complement, and many antibiotics.
"Mycobacterium tuberculosis" can occupy different environments. However, they grow so slowly that their time exceeds 18 hours. Surprisingly, mycobacterium leprae have the longest doubling time of all bacteria. In comparison, bacteria "E. coli" only takes as short as 20 minutes to double.
Mycobacteria have an external membrane, contain no layer that lies outside the bacteria (). The special characteristic about all Mycobacterium species is having a thicker cell wall than many other bacteria, which is to maintain the shape of the plasma membrane. The cell wall is waxy and rich in specific types of fats (lipids), called or .
Mycobacterial infections are complex diseases and are more common in individuals with , for example people undergoing treatment for cancer or that are HIV positive. One third of the planet’s population currently carries the "" bacteria. However, only 25 per cent will develop disease. They can cause tuberculosis, (NTM) pulmonary infections, other localized NTM or infections, leprosy, and chronic ulcers (Buruli ulcer).
Most mycobacteria are to the antibiotics clarithromycin and rifamycin, but antibiotic-resistant strains have emerged.
The Greek prefix "myco" means "fungus". When they are on the surface of liquids, mycobacteria growth is similar to that of moulds, a kind of fungus.
References.
6. Antonini, J. (2014) "Sarcoidosis", Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences. Available at: &lt;https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/mycobacterium&gt;
7. Rice, L. and Jung, M. (2018) "Neutrophilic Leukocytosis, Neutropenia, Monocytosis, and Monocytopenia", Hematology, pp. 675–681. Available at: &lt;https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/mycobacterial-infection&gt;