MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

• Mycobacterium tuberculosis was discovered by Dr. Robert Koch on March 24, 1882. This discovery surrounded the pandemic that killed one out of every seven people in the USA and Europe.

TO GROW THE MICROBE:

1. Open thawed vial and aseptically transfer contents to a tube of #1395 broth.

2. Use several drops of the primary broth tube to inoculate a #173 plate and/or #90 agar slant.

3. Incubate at 37°C for 4­5 weeks.

• The BSL level of mycobacterium tuberculosis is 2. The medium used is ATCC Medium: 1395 Middlebrook 7H9 Broth w/ADC Enrichment under aerobic conditions. However, other medias like green malachite, various Middlebrook broths, or blood agars are used as well. The culture should be stored in frozen conditions until time of use

This microbe causes tuberculosis. The invasion of this microbe has no benefits to the host and actually is detrimental to their health. TB is also associated with other respiratory diseases and autoimmune problems. Fortunately, there is a vaccine given to children who are more likely to contract the bacteria. This disease is important to study because it primarily attacks the respiratory system and if left untreated, could be fatal.