Characteristics of the Etiological Agents
Etiology
Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium bovis are pathogenic for humans and are the
causative agents for human tuberculosis. The route of infection (respiratory versus
intestinal) determines the pattern of lesions. In developed countries, M. bovis has become
very rare. Some "atypical" mycobacteria (e.g., Mycobacterium fortuitum) cause
(see nontuberculous mycobacterial infections in compromised hosts).
| Pathogenicity of Mycobacteria | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Human | Guinea Pig | Fowl | Cattle | Cause TB |
| M.tuberculosis | +++ | +++ | - | - | Yes |
| M.Bovis | +++ | +++ | - | +++ | Yes |
| M.Kansasii | +++ | - | - | - | No |
| M.avium-intracellulare* | + | - | +++ | - | No |
| M.fortuitum-chelonei* | + | - | - | - | No |
| M.leprae | ++ | - | - | - | No |
* Complex