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Microbe profile: Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Humanity’s deadly microbial foe

  • University College Dublin
  • Infectious Disease Research Institute

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

84 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an expert and deadly pathogen, causing the disease tuberculosis (TB) in humans. It has several notable features: the ability to enter non-replicating states for long periods and cause latent infection; metabolic remodelling during chronic infection; a thick, waxy cell wall; slow growth rate in culture; and intrinsic drug resistance and antibiotic tolerance. As a pathogen, M. tuberculosis has a complex relationship with its host, is able to replicate inside macrophages, and expresses diverse immunomodulatory molecules. M. tuberculosis currently causes over 1.8 million deaths a year, making it the world’s most deadly human pathogen.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)437-439
Number of pages3
JournalMicrobiology (United Kingdom)
Volume164
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2018
Externally publishedYes

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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