Which type of pathogen causes tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This organism falls under the category of bacteria, which are single-celled microorganisms. Mycobacterium tuberculosis specifically has a waxy cell wall that contributes to its resistance to many standard antibiotics, making treatment challenging.

In the context of infectious diseases, bacteria can reproduce independently and often spread through environmental means, such as airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This is a key factor in the transmission of tuberculosis.

While viruses, protozoans, and fungi are also pathogenic organisms, they belong to different categories and cause different diseases. For example, viruses require a host cell to replicate, while protozoans are often unicellular parasites, and fungi can cause a range of conditions, including infections. However, they do not cause tuberculosis, which is exclusively linked to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Understanding the classification of infectious agents helps in diagnosing and treating various diseases effectively.