What is the name of the organism responsible for tuberculosis?

Raj. CHO -2025

Applied Microbiology & Infection control

Easy

Appeared in: Raj. CHO -2025

Explanation

The organism that causes tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as stated in the option.
It is an acid-fast bacillus (AFB), meaning it retains a specific stain even after being treated with acid, a key characteristic used in diagnosis.
This bacterium primarily affects the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body, such as the kidney, spine, and brain.

Option A: Bordetella pertussis is the bacterium that causes pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, which is a respiratory infection characterized by a severe cough.
Option B: Corynebacterium diphtheriae is the bacterium responsible for diphtheria, an infection that can lead to a thick covering in the back of the throat.
Option C: Myxovirus is a group of RNA viruses, which includes the viruses that cause influenza and mumps. Tuberculosis is caused by a bacterium, not a virus.

Visual 1: Microscopic Image - A micrograph showing the characteristic rod shape of Mycobacterium tuberculosis after acid-fast staining (appearing red/pink) to help visualize the pathogen.
Visual 2: Infographic - A chart comparing the causative agents, transmission routes, and primary symptoms of Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, and Pertussis.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Causative agent of Tuberculosis as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Identifying the causative agent is the first step in appropriate treatment. Tuberculosis requires a specific, long-term regimen of multiple antibiotics (like isoniazid and rifampin), which is completely different from treatments for viral or other bacterial infections.
Nurses play a critical role in infection control for tuberculosis, including implementing airborne precautions for hospitalized patients with active TB to prevent transmission to healthcare workers and other patients.
What if? If a patient with a persistent cough is suspected of having a respiratory infection, but an acid-fast stain test comes back negative, the nurse should anticipate that the provider will investigate other causes, such as pertussis or a viral infection, and will not initiate TB treatment.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core question: it asks for the specific organism that causes tuberculosis.
Scan the options to see if you recognize the name. Tuberculosis is a very common topic, and its causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a key piece of factual knowledge.
Evaluate each option. 'M. tuberculosis' directly contains 'tuberculosis' in its name, making it the most likely candidate.
Use the process of elimination for the other options. Recall or deduce that Pertussis, Diphtheria, and Myxoviruses are associated with different diseases (whooping cough, diphtheria, and influenza, respectively).
Confirm that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is indeed a bacterium, which fits the general context of infectious diseases.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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