Which bacterium is responsible for causing Tuberculosis (TB) infection?

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the bacterium responsible for causing Tuberculosis (TB) infection. This bacterium is a rod-shaped, aerobic organism that primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other areas of the body. It is characterized by its slow replication rate and unique cell wall structure, which makes it resistant to many common antibiotics and contributes to its pathogenicity.

Understanding the nature of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is important in public health, as TB remains a significant global health concern. The bacterium is typically transmitted through airborne droplets when an infected individual coughs or sneezes, highlighting the importance of tracking and treating TB in populations at risk.

Other options, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhi, are associated with different types of infections—specifically gastrointestinal and skin infections—but are not responsible for TB. Each of these bacteria poses its own health threats, but their mechanisms of infection and the diseases they cause are distinct from those caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.