Mycobacterium 17 Questions and
Answers Already Graded A
What is the primary characteristic of the cell wall structure of Mycobacterium species?
✔✔ Mycobacterium species have a thick, waxy cell wall containing mycolic acids that make
them resistant to desiccation and staining.
How do Mycobacterium species generally respond to Gram staining?
✔✔ Mycobacterium species do not stain well with Gram staining due to their unique cell wall,
requiring acid-fast staining techniques.
What is the causative agent of tuberculosis?
✔✔ Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis.
Which diagnostic test is commonly used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
✔✔ The tuberculin skin test (TST) and sputum acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear are commonly
used for diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
How is Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily transmitted?
1
,✔✔ It is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing, or speaking
by an infected individual.
What is the difference between latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis disease?
✔✔ Latent tuberculosis infection is when the bacteria are dormant with no symptoms, while
active tuberculosis causes symptoms and can spread to others.
What treatment is typically prescribed for drug-sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
✔✔ A combination of first-line antibiotics including rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and
ethambutol is commonly used.
What is the BCG vaccine and its role in tuberculosis prevention?
✔✔ The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used to protect against tuberculosis,
especially in children, although its effectiveness in adults is limited.
What kind of immunity does the body develop in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
infection?
✔✔ The body develops a cell-mediated immune response, including the formation of
granulomas to contain the infection.
2
, What is the significance of granulomas in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection?
✔✔ Granulomas are immune cell clusters that attempt to wall off the bacteria, but can also
harbor dormant bacteria, leading to latent tuberculosis.
How does Mycobacterium tuberculosis survive within the human body?
✔✔ Mycobacterium tuberculosis survives by evading the immune response, multiplying within
macrophages, and forming granulomas.
What are the main symptoms of active tuberculosis disease?
✔✔ Persistent cough, night sweats, fever, weight loss, and blood in the sputum are typical
symptoms of active tuberculosis.
What is the risk factor for developing drug-resistant tuberculosis?
✔✔ Incomplete treatment regimens and improper use of antibiotics can lead to the development
of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains.
What is Mycobacterium leprae responsible for?
✔✔ Mycobacterium leprae is responsible for causing leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease.
3
Answers Already Graded A
What is the primary characteristic of the cell wall structure of Mycobacterium species?
✔✔ Mycobacterium species have a thick, waxy cell wall containing mycolic acids that make
them resistant to desiccation and staining.
How do Mycobacterium species generally respond to Gram staining?
✔✔ Mycobacterium species do not stain well with Gram staining due to their unique cell wall,
requiring acid-fast staining techniques.
What is the causative agent of tuberculosis?
✔✔ Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis.
Which diagnostic test is commonly used to identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
✔✔ The tuberculin skin test (TST) and sputum acid-fast bacillus (AFB) smear are commonly
used for diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
How is Mycobacterium tuberculosis primarily transmitted?
1
,✔✔ It is primarily transmitted through airborne droplets from coughing, sneezing, or speaking
by an infected individual.
What is the difference between latent tuberculosis infection and active tuberculosis disease?
✔✔ Latent tuberculosis infection is when the bacteria are dormant with no symptoms, while
active tuberculosis causes symptoms and can spread to others.
What treatment is typically prescribed for drug-sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis?
✔✔ A combination of first-line antibiotics including rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and
ethambutol is commonly used.
What is the BCG vaccine and its role in tuberculosis prevention?
✔✔ The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is used to protect against tuberculosis,
especially in children, although its effectiveness in adults is limited.
What kind of immunity does the body develop in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
infection?
✔✔ The body develops a cell-mediated immune response, including the formation of
granulomas to contain the infection.
2
, What is the significance of granulomas in Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection?
✔✔ Granulomas are immune cell clusters that attempt to wall off the bacteria, but can also
harbor dormant bacteria, leading to latent tuberculosis.
How does Mycobacterium tuberculosis survive within the human body?
✔✔ Mycobacterium tuberculosis survives by evading the immune response, multiplying within
macrophages, and forming granulomas.
What are the main symptoms of active tuberculosis disease?
✔✔ Persistent cough, night sweats, fever, weight loss, and blood in the sputum are typical
symptoms of active tuberculosis.
What is the risk factor for developing drug-resistant tuberculosis?
✔✔ Incomplete treatment regimens and improper use of antibiotics can lead to the development
of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains.
What is Mycobacterium leprae responsible for?
✔✔ Mycobacterium leprae is responsible for causing leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease.
3
