Mycobacterium tuberculosis
a slow-growing, nonphotochromogenic, pathogenic species that causes tuberculosis in numerous species of mammals. Human infection is commonly in the lung; rates of both pulmonary and nonpulmonary disease are sharply increased among immunocompromised individuals. Strains of low virulence have also been isolated from cases of lupus erythematosus, scrofuloderma, and urogenital tuberculosis. Called also tubercle bacillus.
Medical dictionary.
2011.