Watch+Out+Mycobacterium+tuberculosis

= Watch Out! Mycobacteria & Tuberculosis =

Megan McTaggart & Chelsea Tabellion



ABSTRACT

The first part of the presentation emphasizes the genus Mycobacteria, with specific emphasis being placed on //Mycobacterium tuberculosis.// Mycobacteria are generally found in aquatic or moist environmnets and are most commonly known for the disease causing species, //Mycobacterium tuberculosis// and //Mycobacterium leprae.// However, mycobactiera consists of over seventy different species with most species being identified as environmental organisms rather than disease causing organisms. Mycobacteria are characterized by their distinctive cell wall structure and are often identified using the Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining procedure. While vaccines, such as the BCG vaccine, have been developed in an attempt to prevent the spread of //Mycobacterium tuberculosis// and other potentially harmful species of mycobacteria, none have been overly effective, especially within the United States.



The second part of the presentation focuses on the disease caused by //Mycobacterium tuberculosis//. Tuberculosis is a disease that is considered a worldwide epidemic. More prevalent in nations in Africa and Asia, Tuberculosis is a disease that is fairly curable if the right treatment is administered. Symptoms of TB are usually not apparent until the disease is fairly advanced because many people carry the disease as latent TB. There are various tools used to test for Tuberculosis, including skin testing, blood testing, and chest x-rays. Treatment is given based on the results of this testing. Multiple drugs are available to fight tuberculosis, however there are some strains of TB that are resistant to them. Unfortunately the outcome for these patients is not as positive, and more potent and dangerous drugs must be used to combat the disease.

__Mycobacteria__ Tuberculosis