Which organism is responsible for tuberculosis?

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the causative agent of tuberculosis, a serious infectious disease primarily affecting the lungs but can also impact other parts of the body. This organism is a slow-growing bacterium that has a unique cell wall, which makes it resistant to many standard treatments and requires special media for culture.

Tuberculosis transmission occurs through aerosol droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes, leading to potential infection in individuals who inhale these droplets. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is capable of evading the immune response, making it particularly insidious and difficult to eradicate without proper antibiotic therapy.

In contrast, the other organisms listed are associated with different infections. Streptococcus pneumoniae is a common cause of pneumonia, Escherichia coli is largely implicated in gastrointestinal infections and urinary tract infections, while Staphylococcus aureus can lead to a variety of infections, including skin infections and sepsis. Each of these pathogens has distinct characteristics and treatment options, underscoring the importance of accurate identification of the causative organism in order to guide effective treatment.