What causes tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This organism is a slow-growing, aerobic bacterium that can primarily affect the lungs, though it may also impact other parts of the body. The nature of its transmission is through airborne particles—when an infected person coughs or sneezes, they expel tiny droplets containing the bacteria, which can be inhaled by others.

Understanding that tuberculosis is specifically caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is crucial in distinguishing it from other types of infections. For instance, viral infections involve different pathogens and typically do not have the same mode of infection or treatment strategies as bacterial infections like TB. Additionally, fungal infections are caused by different organisms, and while they can affect lung tissue, they have distinct pathophysiological characteristics from TB. Similarly, bacterial toxins can cause disease but do not constitute the infectious process in tuberculosis; the disease arises directly from the bacterium itself rather than toxins produced during an infection.

Recognizing the right pathogen involved in tuberculosis is essential for diagnosing and effectively treating the disease, as antibiotics specifically targeting bacterial infections are required to manage it.