'Mycobacterium tuberculosis' definitions:

Definition of 'Mycobacterium tuberculosis'

noun

Cause of tuberculosis [syn: tubercle bacillus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis]

From: GCIDE

Tuberculosis \Tu*ber`cu*lo"sis\, n. [NL. See Tubercle.] (Med.) A constitutional disease caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (also called the {Tubercle bacillus}), characterized by the production of tubercles in the internal organs, and especially in the lungs, where it constitutes the most common variety of pulmonary phthisis (consumption). The Mycobacteria are slow-growing and without cell walls, and are thus not affected by the beta-lactam antibiotics; treatment is difficult, usually requiring simultaneous administration of multiple antibiotics to effect a cure. Prior to availability of antibiotic treatment, the cure required extensive rest, for which special sanatoriums were constructed. [1913 Webster +PJC]

From: GCIDE

Tubercle \Tu"ber*cle\, n. [L. tuberculum, dim. of tuber: cf. F. tubercule, OF. also tubercle. See Tuber.] [1913 Webster]
1. A small knoblike prominence or excrescence, whether natural or morbid; as, a tubercle on a plant; a tubercle on a bone; the tubercles appearing on the body in leprosy. [1913 Webster]
2. (Med.) A small mass or aggregation of morbid matter; especially, the deposit which accompanies scrofula or phthisis. This is composed of a hard, grayish, or yellowish, translucent or opaque matter, which gradually softens, and excites suppuration in its vicinity. It is most frequently found in the lungs, causing consumption. [1913 Webster]
Tubercle bacillus (Med.), a minute vegetable organism (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, formerly {Bacillus tuberculosis}, and also called Koch's bacillus) discovered by Koch, a German physician, in the sputum of consumptive patients and in tuberculous tissue. It is the causative agent of tuberculosis. [1913 Webster +PJC]